Coach Olson's Invitation
Tucson–October 11, 2007–The University of Arizona community is pleased to announce its 7th annual CATwalk on November 10, 2007, a 5k walk and 10k race to fight womens’ cancer. Hall of Fame Basketball Coach Lute Olson, “personally invites the Tucson community to join him and his Wildcats as they walk for this worthy cause. Supporting CATwalk is a great way to give back to the UA & Tucson community while showing solidarity in helping to fight for a cure for all women’s cancers!”
CATwalk 07, presented by Casino Del Sol, is the premier public philanthropic event created by the UA Fraternity and Sorority community to benefit the Bobbi Olson Fund for women’s cancer research, education and prevention at the Arizona Cancer Center. The 10k race starts at noon, while the 5k walk starts at 1pm on the UA mall at The University of Arizona campus. For families bringing their kids, a special kids walk with UA mascots Wilbur and Wilma mascots will be held at 1:15pm.
Over 3,000 students and community members will walk five kilometers (3.1 miles) with another 500 expected in the timed 10k race (6.2 miles), organized by the Southern Arizona Roadrunners Association, a local running club. At the conclusion of the race and walk, an hour long celebration and expo engages participants to learn more about cancer while enjoying free food and entertainment, mingling with friends and supporters, and even winning valuable prizes, including two season tickets to UA men’s basketball games.
Individual or team CATwalk registration is now available at: www.catwalk.arizona.edu. The $25 per person registration fee (for walk and race) includes a commemorative t-shirt, free drink and food after the 5k walk and 10k race, entry to the prize drawing (with over $10,000 in prizes), a valuable sponsor coupon book, and the opportunity to walk with UA athletic team members including the UA men’s basketball team. Pre-registered participants can pick up their t-shirt and/or race packet at the UA Bookstore located in the Student Union Memorial Center, Thursday, November 8, 4 to 7 pm, Friday, November 9, 4 to 6 pm, and day-of event beginning at 10 am.
Lute Olson, honorary chair said “UA Fraternity & Sorority Students have been inspirational in their determination to raise funds for the Division of Women’s Cancers at the Arizona Cancer Center. Each year their enthusiasm and dedication amazes me.” Coach Olson added “As you know, this is a personal commitment of mine...to find a cure! But, like a basketball game, there can’t be just one player on the court. This is a team effort. This year’s CATwalk is just around the corner and we are making it a wonderful family event where everyone can walk against cancer. I challenge everyone to walk with me and be a part of my team.”
The annual CATwalk has raised more than $120,000 in the past six years in support of the Bobbi Olson Fund for women’s cancer research, education and prevention at the Arizona Cancer Center. This year’s goal is to raise more than $100,000 at the 7th annual CATwalk.
CATwalk co-chair Cameron Warner, a UA political science senior and Interfraternity Council VP of Programming said “being involved with CATwalk and the Greek community to raise funds for women’s cancer is the most worthwhile charity work I’ve done, and knowing that 1,700 other Greek affiliated students have also pledged to walk and run for a cure for cancer makes me proud to be a UA student.”
