For the third consecutive year, the Guardian Group will be partnering with the Jamaica Cancer Society to host the “Blue Run 5K Walk/Run” event, which is to be a platform to help raise awareness of prostate cancer. This was announced at the Blue Run’s Media Launch on Wednesday, August 20.

According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, prostate cancer, which originates in the prostate gland of males, is the most common form of cancer in Jamaica. It is also infamously associated with the greatest number of cancer-related deaths. In 2020 alone, there were over 1500 new cases reported. The true figure is likely higher, as many men have a negative stigma to the condition and refuse to get tested.

“For years as a company, we have supported improving the public cognisance of Prostate Cancer,” Eric Hosin, the Guardian Life Group President for Health and Pensions, stated. “The fear of just finding out is great, and very often, when they do, it is just too late. This Blue Run is a run for love. If there is anyone you love as a man, be it your child, wife, girlfriend or mother, you’d want to be a part of this.”

Meghon Miller Brown, the overall President of Guardian Life Limited, echoed Hosin’s statements with her own. She began by applauding the work of her team and other sponsors of the Blue Run for taking action and providing support, before circling back to the key theme and purpose of the event.

“Major studies have found that patients engaging in three or more hours of intense activity weekly experience a 61 per cent lower risk of prostate cancer-specific death,” Brown said. “Physical inactivity contributes to nearly 13 per cent of Breast Cancers, 15 per cent of colon cancer, and significantly up to 30 per cent of prostate cancer. However, regular physical activity creates an internal biological environment hostile to cancer development.”

She added: “Last September, we ran and walked together to send a very clear message: Early detection saves lives. As a part of our 25th anniversary celebration, Guardian Life reaffirmed its dedication and commitment to holistic health. Recognising the importance of wellness, we subsidised PSA testing, we provided mobile screening systems on site at the event, and collaborated with the National Health Fund, Heart Foundation, Jamaican Cancer Society, Brothers United Against Prostate Cancer, and Running Events Jamaica.”

President of the Running Events Ltd Alfred Francis, said: “Physical Inactivity is as much a disease as prostate cancer is, so through this Blue Run, we will kill two birds with one stone. There is no better time to do it, with September being prostate cancer month. Registration is now open at running events JA.com to all individuals and teams. If you have any challenges, you can call us at (876) 967-4903.

“As the Ministry of Health notes, the median age of death for premature death is 75,” Francis concluded. “Whilst more people are living longer now, we can make it even better by living a healthy lifestyle. A key part of that is just walking and running.”

The Blue Run is set for Sunday, September 21. Participants will begin at Emancipation Park in New Kingston, making their way down Oxford Road before turning onto Belmont Road. From there, they will head north onto Trafalgar Road, briefly sojourn onto Knutsford Boulevard and Grenada Crescent, before making their way back to Emancipation Park via Ruthven and Half-Way Tree roads.

The aforementioned route is to be closed to all vehicular traffic between 6:00 and 8:00 am that day, with water and rest stops prepared for the participants. These sites are to be manned by members of Running Events Jamaica Ltd. The actual walk and run is to begin at 6:30 in the morning, with those involved urged to reach the assembly point by 5:45 am.