LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An annual race that raises funding for research of a rare cancer returned to downtown Louisville on Saturday morning.
Race to Cure Sarcoma, a 5K run and mile-walk, was held at the Waterfront Park by the Big Four Bridge. More than 800 people and 20 teams registered for the event that promotes cancer research and awareness.
Sarcoma is a cancer of the connective tissue, making up just 1% of all adult cancer and 15-20% of childhood cancers in the U.S. More than 17,000 people are diagnosed with one of the 100 types of sarcoma each year.
"It's a rare cancer so often times its overlooked in terms of research funding, treatment options, at these events we often have people come up and say 'I've never met anyone else with sarcoma,'" said Brandi Felser, CEO of Sarcoma Foundation of America. "In Louisville we don't have a sarcoma center or a specialty center, so it's very difficult for people to get treatment because not all doctors know how to treat sarcoma."
The Sarcoma Foundation of America holds around 20 fundraising events throughout the year. Felser said Louisville's race is one of the foundation's biggest races each year.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment for adults with unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma.
"There has been a lot of progress for sarcoma research," Felser said. "We've been waiting for this moment for so long. It was a great break through."
As of 4 p.m. Saturday, the event had raised more than $92,350 for sarcoma research.
To donate to the Race to Cure Sarcoma, click here.
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