West Dundee to Puppy Up Against Cancer Sunday

On Sunday, Nov. 6, West Dundee will be joining cities all across the country in the 2 Million Dogs Puppy Up! Walk against cancer.

The event is part of a national effort organized by 2 Million Dogs, a 501 C (3) organization that relies on the generosity of individuals and corporations to help in its mission to eradicate both human and canine cancer through investing in comparative oncology studies.  

2 Million Dogs grew from a cross-country walk by Luke Robinson of Austin, TX and his two dogs Hudson and Murphy. They walked from Austin to Boston to fulfill the promise Luke made to his dog Malcolm, a Great Pyrenees who died from cancer. Luke later formed 2 Million Dogs with the belief that if two dogs can walk 2000 miles to raise awareness about canine cancer surely two million dogs can walk 2 miles.  

“We are thrilled to be part of this exciting and challenging effort to raise money for research that will help us win the fight against cancer,” said Karyn Vasquez, West Dundee organizer.  

“Between now and Nov. 6 we will recruit as many dog-owners and dog lovers to come out with or without their pets to Randall Oaks Park and walk to help raise money for research in comparative oncology,” she said in a statement.  

All ages are welcome. Well-behaved dogs are encouraged to attend, but must be on a non retractable leash. Details about the West Dundee walk can be found here.  The monies raised through the Nov. 6 walk and subsequent events, will be used to partner with leading cancer research institutions to help further their work in the leading-edge field of comparative oncology.

Just like humans, dogs naturally develop cancer. The work of clinical veterinary oncologists in using naturally occurring cancers in animals to better understand and treat cancer in humans is called comparative oncology. There are several factors that make comparative oncology important in the fight against human cancer

• Pets are exposed to many of the same environmental risks as people.
• The cancer cells are biologically comparable.
• There is a large population of cats and dogs with pre-existing cases of cancer.
• Cancer occurs in pets within years compared to decades in humans.

**Registration for the Puppy Up! Walk is Sunday, Nov. 6 from 9-10 a.m. at the Randall Oaks Park, 750 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. The opening ceremony kicks off at 10:15 a.m., followed by a two-mile walk with food, drinks, speakers and prizes. Cost of registration online before 11/3 is $20 and $25 the day of the event.

-Press release submitted by Karyn Vasquez for 2 Million Dogs