The Underwear Affair introduces "The Booty Hunt" as a new component of the 2013 race through downtown Edmonton

Participants will walk, race or complete challenges dressed in underwear to support breakthrough research and the discovery of new cancer therapies at Cross Cancer Institute and 16 other cancer centres in Alberta.

EDMONTON, April 17, 2013 /CNW/ - The Underwear Affair introduced "The Booty Hunt" as a new event component for 2013 race through downtown Edmonton. Participants will walk, race or complete challenges dressed in underwear to support breakthrough research and the discovery of new cancer therapies at the Cross Cancer Institute and 16 other cancer centres in Alberta.

"We're thrilled to introduce The Booty Hunt for our 7^th annual Underwear Affair in Edmonton so now all Albertans can participant in the race as teams to complete a series of fun activities and mental challenges planned throughout the city.  All the while, raising vital funds for an area of cancer research that is under-funded simply because people are uncomfortable talking about cancers that occur below the belt," said Daryl Silzer, Associate Vice President of Development at Alberta Cancer Foundation.

"In Alberta, 33% of diagnosed cancers occur below the belt.  It's unfortunately often a topic people are uncomfortable talking about and as a result, will sometime put off or avoid their annual screenings. The great thing about the Underwear Affair is that the event encourages conversations about underwear cancers and raises crucial dollars for cancer research that is helping all Albertans," Silzer added.

In six years, the Underwear Affair events held in Calgary & Edmonton, combined for over $9.3 million raised for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and funds raised support ongoing prostate, colorectal, ovarian, testicular, bladder, cervical, and uterine cancer research programs at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, and 16 cancer centers in the province.  The annual event brings together thousands of participants who walk a 5K route or race a 10K chip-timed route through downtown Edmonton.  This year, "Booty Hunters" can form teams and race to complete a series of activities and challenges throughout the city before crossing the finish line.

"There are numerous people in my life that have been touched by cancer, and it t breaks my heart that there is not more that I can do to help. I am training for the Underwear Affair, to get healthy and better myself. I am hoping that by participating, I can help someone else become healthy too," said second-year participant Lyndsey M. Rae, from Edmonton. 

"My team and I are so excited to be back this year for something new, The Booty Hunt! Not only do we get to raise money and awareness for a great cause, but we get to run all around Edmonton in wild costumes too," added Rae.

Silzer says they timed the announcement to coincide with national Awareness to Down There-Ness Day, an initiative aimed to significantly drive registrations for the 2013 Underwear Affairs in Calgary and Edmonton.

"We're encouraging all Canadians cross the country to register themselves, friends, family and colleagues today by visiting www.uncoverthecure.org or calling [phone]," Silzer added.

The Edmonton Underwear Affair will take place at the Butterdome, June 15, 2013.  To register, donate or request information, visit www.uncoverthecure.org or call [phone].

ABOUT THE ALBERTA CANCER FOUNDATION:
The Alberta Cancer Foundation is Alberta's own. It was established to advance cancer research province-wide and to directly support Alberta's 17 cancer centres, including the Cross Cancer Institute and Tom Baker Cancer Centre. At the Alberta Cancer Foundation, we believe a cancer-free future is both possible and inevitable. When we get there, depends on the focus and energy we put to it today.

SOURCE: Alberta Cancer Foundation

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