Griffin Hospital in Derby to hold annual 5K Walk/Run in June

Young participants seen at last year's Griffin Hospital 5K Walk/Run. / Contributed photo  

DERBY - The eighth annual 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital will hit the streets June 4.

Started as a way to celebrate the first anniversary of the building of the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, the first Walk/Run drew more than 200 participants and raised more than $25,000. 

Now in its eighth year, the 5K has drawn thousands of participants over the years and raised nearly $300,000 to help support local cancer survivors.

This non-competitive, family-friendly event draws walkers and runners from all over the Valley, including participants from Derby, Ansonia, Shelton, Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck, and from all over the state.

Proceeds are earmarked for special needs of cancer patients, such as support for transportation, groceries and wig and salon services, as well as patient support programs at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital. 

Area cancer survivors are invited to celebrate the event at a free survivors’ reception that offers food and free massages.

Participants can walk or run individually, or may form a team with their family, friends and co-workers. Participants may also collect pledges or purchase a commemorative sign to honor or memorialize a loved one at the event.

Registration is $25 for adults; $10 for children under 13 years old. The registration fees will increase by $5 after May 17.

Check-in for the event begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Center for Cancer Care parking lot, 350 Seymour Ave. 

The Walk/Run is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged, and the first 500 registered participants will receive T-shirts.

Individuals and teams can register online at griffinhealth.org/5k. 
For more information, call 203-732-7431 or e-mail 5kwalkrun@griffinhealth.org.

Sponsor the Griffin 5K

The 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Center for Cancer Care still has sponsorship opportunities available, which include signage at the event, logos on the event promotional materials and T-shirts, and opportunities to have a table to distribute products at the event or put items, coupons or promotional material in participant give-away bags.

Sponsors for the 5K include The Ansonia Rod and Gun Club, Smilow Cancer Hospital, Centrix, The EDGE Fitness, Forest Construction Co. LLC, BIC, HAN Network, Star 99.9 FM, and YoCrunch.

For more information about sponsorships, contact Christian Meagher, 203-732-7431 or cmeagher@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.