Unleash the S.H.E. run has personal meaning for Mayo Clinic doctor
Apr. 20—ROCHESTER — It doesn't take much for Jamie Bakkum-Gamez, M.D. to get excited about the Unleash the S.H.E. fundraising run.
Bakkum-Gamez has had a great passion for the event ever since she was there for the conception of the race. That was about 15 years ago at the suggestion of a nurse. Bakkum-Gamez is currently an ambassador of the race and she often speaks to the crowd at the beginning of the event.
"The idea was, let's have an event that raises awareness of this terrible cancer, ovarian cancer," Bakkum-Gamez said. "And the proceeds from the race go to the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance."
The race is being sponsored by the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, the Mayo Clinic and the organizers of the Med City Marathon. The event will be held April 27 and has a new course this year.
The race begins at 9 a.m. and the starting point will be Little Thistle Brewing. This will be the first official 5K/10K event to use the new trail extension near the brewery.
"I think a lot of people really enjoy kicking their season off with this event," said Evin Haukos, the race director of the Med City Marathon. "And it's for a good cause, which is fantastic."
Runners can still register at
and the cost is $40. Runners also receive a gift bag which includes a hoodie and stainless steel cup.
After starting at Little Thistle, the runners will cross a footbridge over Highway 14 and will run through the Cascade Lake Park trails before returning to where the race started.
"It's a beautiful course and we're really excited," Haukos said.
Proceeds will go to the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance. Many runners of the event also do fundraising individually or as a team to donate to the cause.
Bakkum-Gamez said raising funds to research ovarian cancer is extremely important. She said it is "the most lethal cancer that I care for." She said awareness and getting advanced screening is also important.
"We need better cures." she said. "About 75 percent of women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer have an advanced stage, which is very hard to cure. The dollars that are raised with this race go to important research and advocacy to improve the outcomes when it comes to this disease."
Bakkum-Gamez's job at Mayo Clinic is to care for people with cancer or who have a high risk of getting the disease. She still runs in the race and is "a very passionate supporter of it."
"The miles that I put in to Unleash the S.H.E. mean more than any of the miles I run as personal enjoyment," she said.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was drawing more than 1,000 runners. It then diminished to about 400 runners, but those totals are again climbing.
"Now we're back, which is great," Haukos said. "We've got about 800 registered right now and counting."
Beside a 5K and a 10K running event, there will also be a walk along a portion of the course, which will include some cancer survivors.
Afterwards a brunch will be held beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m. There will be food trucks, prizes will be awarded and the band Loud Mouth Brass will provide live music. All runners will get a free beer from Little Thistle and speakers from the Mayo Clinic will put on a short program on cancer treatment. The post-run activities will last a couple of hours.
Bakkum-Gamez said she is "very proud of Mayo Clinic for being the presenting sponsor of this race," which she says can be therapeutic to cancer survivors or others.
"I've had several patients of my own who have shared their stories publicly on the stage at the event," Bakkum-Gamez said. "They bring their families, they're out there raising awareness together and celebrating the journey that they are all on. I see it in their eyes, I see it in their smiles, I hear it from them, I feel it in their hugs. This event means a lot to our families who are dealing with ovarian cancer in a loved one."
