More than twice as many people die from cancer than from malaria, AIDS, and tuberculosis combined. Cancer touches almost everyone in some way, whether personally or through someone they love. It’s a devastating disease, but BYU is working for a cure, and you can help.
The Rex Lee Run Against Cancer will celebrate two decades of fighting cancer with the 20th annual run on March 7, 2015 at the BYU Outdoor Track. This year’s theme is “Runners Remember.” Proceeds will go to the BYU Simmons Center for Cancer Research to fund cancer research fellowships.
The run was organized in 1996 to honor BYU president Rex Lee who had passed away that year from cancer. Today, the run is hosted by the BYU Cancer Awareness Group, a student club that works to increase public awareness about cancer, offer support to cancer patients and families, and raise money for cancer research. To date, the Rex Lee Run has raised more than $400,000 for cancer research.
Thomas Lee, an Associate Justice on the Utah Supreme Court and son of Rex Lee, and Diana Lee Allred, Rex Lee’s daughter, remember their father as an avid BYU fan who loved running and was committed to beating cancer.
“When his cancer diagnosis came, running was a way for my dad to still feel alive,” Allred said. “He pushed his body to run as long as he could and continued to enjoy running until just a few months before he died . . . I can think of no better tribute to give Rex Edwin Lee than a run honoring his memory and in his name, [assisting] research at his beloved BYU to cure the disease that took his life.”
In addition to honoring the memory of Rex Lee, runners can donate $10 to register to wear an Honor a Cancer Fighter Certificate bearing the name of their loved one who has battled cancer.
The 5K run will begin at 9:15 a.m. and the 10K run will begin at 9:00 a.m. Runners can register online until 10 p.m. on Friday, March 6. Registration will also be open the morning of the race at the Outdoor Track located just south of the Lavell Edwards Stadium between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. On Friday, March 6, participants can pick up their t-shirts and bibs with a photo ID at the Rex Lee Run booth in the Wilkinson Student Center on BYU campus from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Runners who register after 10 p.m. on March 5 can pick up their materials the morning of the race from 7 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Rex Lee Run, the Cancer Awareness Group is partnering with the Utah Valley University Breast Cancer Research and Awareness Club to host a cancer awareness carnival at 8 a.m. the morning of the race. Attendees will enjoy music, food, entertainment, and prize drawings.
“For 20 years the community has come together to lock arms against cancer in support of the research effort at BYU,” said Thomas Lee. “To have this event named after our dad, Rex Lee, is a distinct honor and privilege.”