by Sue Smith
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! PuppyUp.org Puppy Up New Mexico! will hold its inaugural Walk for Canine Cancer Awareness and Research on Sunday, September 25, at Rotary Park in Bernalillo, NM. The event begins with registration and activities at 11 AM and continues until 4 PM. The 2.0 mile group walk around the perimeter of the park begins at noon.
United to fight a serious foe, the day will be a celebration of hope and the love of dogs. Festivities centered around the Walk will include:
· live music (from folk to instrumental to hip hop, we hope to have everyone bopping on the grass),
· a vendors’ bazaar (perfect for gift shopping, restocking the treat cupboard or adding some personal bling),
· representatives from local shelters and adoptable pets,
· tasty noshes for humans and pups highlighting some of the best cookin’ in our area,
· a silent auction (with items to fit every bidder’s budget),
· pup and owner games (an agility set up, Rover Says, and more)
· informational presentations range from Emergency Preparedness by FEMA to “Ask the Trainer” Q&A.
· a Canine Couture Fashion Show where proud owners can show off their super model pups,
· A memorial Wall will allow participants to share those who valiantly fought and who will never be forgotten.
The funds raised from this event will be used to fund canine cancer and comparative oncology research, particularly focusing on the causal relationship between infections, immune response, and cancer. We are in the early stages of our process as we are currently looking for research partners and raising monies to fund the study.
Research has shown us that dogs and humans get the same types of cancers. If we study already existing cancers in our canine companions, we can help develop not only better treatments for them, but also better treatments for humans as well. Because these studies will also help reduce the cost of treatment for the animals involved, more people will be able to afford to have their companions treated for this deadly disease.
Be a part of history this September 25th as New Mexico joins the network of cities all across America coming together to take a stand against cancer. Let your howl be heard! A cancer-free world starts with one dog, each mile at a time.
To pre-register, sign up here. The cost online is $20.00. Or register the day of the event, $25.00, at the park. Every participant receives a gift bag, a Puppy Up! bracelet and a bandana. For more information, contact Sue Smith at 505-232-7996
