The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Colon Cancer Coalition will host the annual Get Your Rear in Gear (GYRIG) 5k fun run walk race 6:30am on March 11 at Goodman’s Bay Park.

The GYRIG’s inaugural event started last year in memory of the late Andrea Darville who was an originator and local director of the event as well as a big advocate for colon cancer awareness before her passing early last year.

The former UB Mingo and member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority touched the lives of many that watched her ongoing battle with stage 3 colon cancer.

With March being colon cancer awareness month and colon cancer being the second most common cancer in The Bahamas, event organisers Jackie Evans and sister of the deceased Emily Darville seek to not only carry out Andrea’s vision and final wish but also spread awareness about the cancer.

In a cause that is very personal to Darville, she talked about how great support for the 5k fun run walk event has been. “I have received an overwhelming [amount] of support from the public, local and international sponsors alike, last year we borrowed a giant inflatable colon as an educational piece on site for the race,” Darville said.

However, Darville added that for this year’s awareness event the organisers were sponsored one that is now a keepsake at the Cancer Society for educational purposes.

This year’s GYRIG event was sponsored by the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Genesis Community Loan Fund, Gastrocare Bahamas, Pfizer, Bahamas Orthodontic Center, and Taiho Oncology, CFAL, and Heineken.

Those who wish to participate in support of the late Andrea Darville or to simply help in raising awareness for colon cancer can register online at https://donate.coloncancercoalition.org/ bahamas/?rbref=local.

For persons that wish to register in person they can go to the Cancer Society located on East Terrace Centerville and sign up between 12pm and 6pm today. Also, if potential participants miss today’s in-person registration they will have another chance on the morning of the 5k fun run walk event on Goodman’s Bay Park.

The registration fees for GYRIG are $25 for adults and $12 for kids. Registrants will receive a registration package which will include a GYRIG t-shirt and backpack, colon cancer information pamphlets, water and a Gatorade, as well as fruits and energy bars. Persons that complete the race will receive a medal upon completion.

The route for Saturday’s early morning event will begin with participants leaving Goodman’s Bay to travel west towards Baha Mar onto Cable Beach then participants will make a left before the Swiss Pastry bakery to travel back to the start of the route.

Darville had final words of encouragement for those who are still considering registering for the event.

“I’d like to encourage you all to come out and participate in this good cause as we raise funds and awareness assisting those who are fighting to beat this horrible disease,” Darville said.

The event organiser and sister of the beloved Andrea Darville hope to see the general public in attendance at the 2023’s GYRiG 5k Fun Run Walk.