PuppyUp combats cancer with Shoreline, Conn. PuppyUp Walk

Local dog lovers, in partnership with the PuppyUp Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that funds comparative oncology research benefiting both pets and people, will be holding the 4^th Annual PuppyUp Shoreline CT Two-mile Walk on November 8 at Hammonasset State Park in Madison.

Through PuppyUp walks and other educational campaigns, the PuppyUp Foundation is building one of the largest pet and people cancer communities in the world. Like people, companion animals develop cancer: brain, breast, bone and lung cancer; lymphoma and melanoma are all common in pets, which are exposed to the same environmental factors as humans. Veterinary oncologists believe there are between four and eight million new cases of cancer in companion animals every year.

It began with a promise to raise awareness of canine cancer one mile, one city, and one person at a time. Luke Robinson, along with his dogs, has walked 4,000 miles across America to fulfill the promise he made to his dog Malcolm who died from this horrible disease.

The PuppyUp Foundation is committed to discovering the common links between canine and human cancers and the causes of these cancers through comparative oncology research.  The organization will accomplish that mission through education and awareness, empowerment and mobilization, and investment in research.

To date, the PuppyUp Foundation has funded approximately $400,000 in cancer research in the areas of osteosarcoma, breast and bladder cancer, as well as mast cell tumors.  Past recipients of our grants include; Princeton with University of Pennsylvania, MIT and Harvard’s Broad Institute, Animal Medical Center with Sloan Kettering, and the University of Wisconsin.

Registration starts at 11:00 am and opening ceremonies begin at 12:30 pm with the walk immediately following. Goodie bags will be given out to the first 300 preregistered participants.

Arrive early to take advantage of the Agility Fun Course, see the K-9 Officer demonstration, and to look over and bid on our silent auction items.  Many items have been donated by major sports teams in New England and New York.

We appreciate the continued support from our Gold Paw Sponsors: Clinton Veterinary Hospital, Guilford Veterinary Hospital and Merial.

Preregistration by November 6th is $20 per person; free for kids 14 and under; kids must be accompanied by an adult. Registration the day of the walk is $25 per person.

For more on the PuppyUp walk or to register, please visit www.puppyupshoreline.kintera.org.

Contact:
Valerie Kodman