5 reasons to run for GYN cancer during the Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival, Sept. 24

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September is GYN Awareness Month and the Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival is back for its 13th year on Saturday, September 24 at The Preserve in Hoover. Read on for event details and five reasons why your participation makes a mighty impact. Know you want to attend? Sign up now.

1. You’ll be supporting an important cause + countless women/families

Behind the Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival is the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation (LCBF)—a local nonprofit whose mission focuses on early detection research, awareness education and support services for GYN cancer patients and their families. 

When you participate in the Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival, you’re helping raise awareness and funds that will benefit LCBF and their mission.

Since its founding in 2009, here are a few ways LCBF has made an impact in Birmingham and beyond: 

• It has granted over $605,000 to ovarian cancer early detection research.
• It has educated tens of thousands of community members on GYN cancer prevention and signs + symptoms.
• It has provided emotional, educational and more than $200,000 in direct financial support to thousands of GYN cancer patients and their loved ones.

2. You’ll join a special community of patients + caregivers

While GYN cancer strongly affects the person diagnosed, it also has a big impact on loved ones. To honor standout caregivers for all they do for GYN patients, the LCBF honors event participants with a number of awards during their annual Taste of Teal Gala each spring. One award is the Caregiver Award, which is given to a person who provides care and support for someone going through GYN cancer.

During this year’s gala, the LCBF’s Caregiver Award was presented to Beth Blackburn, a Birmingham-area resident and yearly participant of the Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival. 

Nominated by the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, Beth won the award due to her strength and dedication while helping Cathy through her cancer diagnosis, treatment and now remission. 

In fact, this was Beth’s second time being a caregiver; she also helped care for her first wife during her diagnosis and treatment.

“Being a caregiver is not easy. My biggest suggestion to someone in a caregiver role is to acknowledge that you’re human. You’re going to have days where you have to step back and allow other people to help you. It doesn’t show weakness, it shows that you’re human.”

Beth Blackburn, 2022 Caregiver Award Recipient

During this year’s Head over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival, Beth and Cathy are walking for “Team Kathrine Bland” in honor of a friend who recently passed away due to GYN Cancer.

“For us this year, the event is personal because our friend recently passed away. But there are so many reasons to participate, like raising awareness and giving back. We need to keep the messaging out there and the LCBF does such great work to make that possible.”

Beth Blackburn, 2022 Caregiver Award Recipient

3. There are many ways to participate

Whether you love to run, prefer a casual stroll or donating online is more your speed, there are many ways to participate and make a difference during the Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival. Here are some ways you can participate:

1. Sign up as a FUNdraiser and raise money for LCBF. You can register as an individual, join a team or create your own. 
2. Register to run (or walk!) in the 5K or 10K and help spread awareness.  
3. Choose the Sleep-In option and donate to the cause. 

Are you ready to register for the Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival? Sign up now.

4. It’s fun for the whole family (+ dogs!)

Taking place at The Preserve in Hoover, the race features beautiful scenery, lots of family-friendly activities and a chance to join and support those in the community.

Leashed dogs are also welcome to participate in the race and attend the festival, but please be kind and pick up after them. 

After the event, you’ll want to stick around because there’s lots to enjoy, including:  

• Pizza + beer
• Live music
• Awards presentation
• Pumpkin decorating
• Face painting
• Crazy hair booth
• And more!

5. Registration is EASY!

Like what you’ve learned so far about LCBF and want to help them in their mission? Then participate in the Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival on Saturday, September 24 at 8AM—registration is simple! All you have to do is follow this link, fill out a few quick questions and ta-dah, sign up is complete!

Event Info

What: Head Over Teal 5K & 10K Fall Festival
When: Saturday, September 24 | 8AM (Shuttles will run from Prince of Peace Catholic Church starting at 6:30AM to take you to/from the event.)
Where: The Preserve, 616 Preserve Pkwy, Hoover, AL 35226
Cost: 10K – $40 | 10K Team – $35 | 5K – $35 | 5K Team – $35
Register

For more about the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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