Louisiana native and NFL player Brandon Bolden is the official ambassador of this year’s AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk, which will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at Canal Place in New Orleans. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Bolden will be joined at the starting line by AACR President David A. Tuveson, MD, PhD, FAACR, who plans to compete in the annual fundraising event.

Bolden was diagnosed in 2018 with epidermoid carcinoma, which caused him to temporarily lose function of the right side of his face. He has since become an outspoken advocate for cancer research.

In December 2021, Bolden shared a compilation of his treatment and recovery photos on TikTok. He told Sports Illustrated that he posted them “to show I had cancer. I did not think I was going to be able to play another down, and here I am going on four years later after having surgery. I’m still working strong.”

Despite his cancer diagnosis and surgery, Bolden played all 16 games the following season for the Miami Dolphins. He currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders as a special teams player and running back.

The AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk typically draws more than 300 participants, including residents from the Annual Meeting host city and its surrounding communities. The AACR offers free registration to cancer survivors and anyone under the age of 17. The AACR also extends invitations to local healthcare facilities and institutions, academic institutions, and research institutions.

This year, Youth Run NOLA, a club that trains runners from underserved populations in the New Orleans area, will also be participating—free of charge—giving their members a glimpse into a career in cancer research.

The AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk raises funds to advance cancer research while raising awareness about the important work that the AACR does and the economic impact that the Annual Meeting has on the host city each year. This year’s goal is to raise $75,000 for cancer research.

All registered participants will receive a commemorative AACR 2022 Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk New Orleans tech running shirt. This year’s 5K route is a scenic tour along the Mississippi River.

2022 AACR Runners for Research 5K Run/Walk

Date: 7:30 a.m. CDT Saturday, April 9

Start/Finish: Canal Place at 201 Canal Street (ground level parking lot – Premium Parking Lot P-403) between Four Seasons hotel and the Canal Place Shops

Cost: AACR Members: $40; Annual Meeting attendees: $50; Louisiana residents: $35; Louisiana running club members: $35; AARP members: $20; Seniors (62+): $20; Age 17 & under and cancer survivors: FREE

Check-in Time: 6:45 – 7:30 a.m. CDT Saturday, April 9

Registration Cutoff: 7:30 a.m. CDT Saturday, April 9

Donation Cutoff: 11:45 a.m. CDT Tuesday, May 10

Contact: [email protected]

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