The Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer 5K isn’t just a race. It’s a chance for our community to come together and make a difference.
Rowan Diagnostic Clinic and Digestive Health Associates in Salisbury, NC, are proud to announce the Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer 5K, a powerful event dedicated to raising awareness, saving lives, and funding free colonoscopies for those in need right here in Rowan County.
Why This 5K Matters
Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers when caught early. Screening colonoscopies can detect and remove precancerous polyps before they ever have the chance to become something more serious. The challenge is access. Not everyone in our community has the financial resources or insurance coverage needed to receive this potentially life-saving screening. That is where this event steps in.
All proceeds from the Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer 5K will help fund free colonoscopies for eligible individuals in Rowan County. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to support these screenings and expand access to preventative care.
Event Details: Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer 5K
Through our collaboration with the Checkit4Andretti Foundation and in partnership with the Community Care Clinic of Rowan, we will help provide free colonoscopies to individuals in need across Rowan County. Whether you are a seasoned runner, a casual walker, someone impacted by colorectal cancer, or you simply want to show support, this event is for you. Please bring your family. Invite your coworkers. Form a team. Make it a morning of movement and meaning.
- 5K: 9:00 a.m. – Overton Elementary – 1825 West Park Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144
- Fun Run: 10:30 a.m. – 611 Mocksville Avenue, Salisbury, NC 28144
After the 5K run/walk at Overton Elementary, coffee, refreshments, and awards will be available at Rowan Diagnostic Clinic, 611 Mocksville Avenue. We will also hold a Fun Run at RDC for kids ages 8 and under at approximately 10:30 a.m. Anyone is welcome to join for the awards announcement and refreshments.
If you are unable to attend, your donation still makes a direct impact. Every dollar helps move us closer to our $10,000 goal.
Partnering for a Purpose: Checkit4Andretti Foundation
We are honored to partner with the Checkit4Andretti Foundation to bring this mission to life. Founded in honor of John Andretti, a professional race car driver who bravely battled colorectal cancer, the Checkit4Andretti Foundation was created to raise awareness about early detection and to increase access to screenings. After publicly sharing his diagnosis, Andretti used his voice and platform to encourage others to get checked. His message was simple and powerful: early screening saves lives. The foundation continues his legacy by:
- Promoting colorectal cancer awareness nationwide
- Funding screening programs
- Supporting community partnerships to increase access to colonoscopies
Colorectal cancer does not always present with symptoms. Often, it develops quietly and goes unchecked unless it is found during a screening. A colonoscopy can detect small precancerous polyps long before they cause symptoms, and these polyps can be safely removed during the same procedure. Removing them helps stop colorectal cancer before it ever begins, and that is why screening is so powerful. By participating in this 5K, you are helping ensure that someone in our community receives a potentially life-saving screening they might otherwise have gone without.
Help Us Reach Our $10,000 Goal
Rowan Diagnostic Clinic and Digestive Health Associates have set a goal to raise $10,000 for this event. This goal means more people get appointments, more screenings are completed, and more lives are protected. Rowan Diagnostic Clinic and Digestive Health Associates are committed to advancing digestive health and preventative care in Salisbury and throughout Rowan County. The Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer 5K extends that mission. You can also help by spreading the word!
- Please share this event on social media
- Send the registration link to friends and family
- Encourage coworkers to form teams
- Consider making a personal donation or volunteering
Colorectal Screening Saves Lives: When Should You Be Screened?
Screening is one of the best ways to prevent colorectal cancer. Current general guidelines recommend:
- Begin screening at age 45 for adults at average risk.
- Earlier screening for individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
- Earlier testing for those with certain medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
- Continuing regular screenings through age 75, depending on overall health and risk factors.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk factors and your colorectal health.
For many patients, a colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years if results are normal. However, your healthcare provider may recommend a different schedule based on your personal history. Colorectal cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Screening allows providers to find and remove precancerous growths before they become cancerous, turning what could be a life-threatening diagnosis into a preventable condition.
