The Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation, (CMOCF) will host its annual One Step Closer to the Cure 5Kand 1 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, September 14, 2024, starting and ending at Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Drive SE. Individuals and teams are invited to walk, run, or jog with fellow supporters along downtown St. Pete’s spectacular waterfront and raise money to help local women suffering from ovarian cancer.
To date, CMOCF has donated $1.1 million to women who need childcare, lost wages, housekeeping, transportation to doctor visits, groceries, rent or funds to keep the electricity and water running while they undergo treatment. Funds have also gone to support ovarian cancer research, prevention, and education in our community.
“One Step assures survivors a community cares for them,” said Claudette Carlan, Chairman of the Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation, created in her mother’s name to help women who were also suffering from this disease.
“We get so many thank you notes from families we’ve been fortunate to help. Our greatest accomplishment has been to remain an all-volunteer foundation for more than 20 years and to give hope to the survivor who needs us.”
Race results will be posted to the website and medals awarded immediately following the event on September 14, 2024. Register for the One Step Closer to the Cure at Cmocf.org/onestep . The 5K registration fee is $45 per person, plus a $3.70 sign-up fee and the 1-mile walk/run is $35 plus a $3.10 sign-up fee. Participants receive a race T-shirt and a unique referral code to pass along to friends and family. There is also a sleep-in option for $40 plus a $3.40 sign-up fee which includes a T-shirt. Prices will increase on September 6, 2024.
The 5K starts at 7:30 a.m. and will end at 10:00 a.m. The 1 mile Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m.
Please follow and share the Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation One Step Closer campaign on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cmocf) and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/celma.mastry.ovarian.cancer/?hl=en) for race updates and news about pre-race activities. Sponsors include Schmidt & Barton Family Fund, Richard and Denise Mastry, Eaton Orthopaedics, Astra Zeneca, Rob Bowen Design Group, Ann Isaacs, Mastry Engine Center, World Tennis Association, Moffitt Cancer Center, Suzuki Repower, Old Salt Fishing Foundation, St. Petersburg Yacht Sales & Service, Women’s Care Florida, Hooters, CDRoma, St. Anthony’s Bay Care Health System, Children’s Next Day School, ImmunoGen, BayFirst, Sharon C. Brown, Susan Frey, Netco Design, Directors Service Inc., PHrMa and the memories of Niloufer Phillips-Arasakumar and Michelle Massey Foerster.
Race packets can be picked up on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Pete Running Company at 6986 22nd Ave N., on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hooters, 4125 4th St N., and on the morning of the race at Albert Whitted Park, 480 Bayshore Dr. SE. in St. Petersburg, starting at 6 a.m. Additional information can be found at Ovariancancerfoundation.org or call (863) 381-2034.
ABOUT CELMA MASTRY OVARIAN CANCER FOUNDATION
The Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation was started in 2003 by family and friends of St. Petersburg community leader and philanthropist Celma Mastry to help other women who also suffer with this silent killer. Since inception, the foundation has expanded sponsorship opportunities and fundraising events that enable them to continue providing financial assistance to patients and to support research, prevention and education in the community. The Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation has given more than a million dollars to numerous individuals to assist them financially as they struggle to overcome cancer and still pay their bills. The Foundation created a support group led by survivors called “You Matter,” giving newly diagnosed patients a comfort bag containing information about ovarian cancer, resources, and items to help during treatment.