The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is honored to present the 1st Annual Walk to Remember James Francis Urian Esophageal Cancer Awareness. The event is in memory of James Francis Urian who passed away in April, 2022.
The in-person event will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023, 9AM at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic, CT. Guests can also participate virtually in the event on either Saturday, April 22, 2023, or Sunday, April 23, 2023.
Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 day of. Sign up today! Click here.
The 1st Annual Walk to Remember James Francis Urian- Esophageal Cancer Awareness & Research will benefit The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity working to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and fund research of esophageal cancer…in hopes of a cure.™
In 2015, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded its first esophageal cancer research grant. In 2018, the charity funded its second esophageal cancer research grant.
In November, 2022, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation opened its Grant Program for the THIRD time! Research funding will be awarded in 2023!
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has also raised awareness and encouraged early detection both nationally AND internationally since 2011. Your continued support directly impacts and sustains this mission!
Create a Fundraising Page!
Whether you register for the virtual event or are unable to participate but would still like to make a difference, you can create a custom fundraising page. You can also donate to an existing campaign. Visit: http://fundrazr.com/SalgiWalkJamesUrian2023
Virtual event information:
Virtual guests of the 1st Annual Walk to Remember James Francis Urian- Esophageal Cancer Awareness & Research, can participate in their neighborhood, on a trail, bike path, track, by the ocean, river, or wherever guests would like to walk or run. It’s important to remember that by participating in the virtual event guests must still comply with all local social distancing guidelines.
Guests can also bicycle, rollerblade, skateboard, swim, the possibilities are endless! Since the virtual event is not timed, guests are able to participate at their own pace, at any time on Saturday or Sunday.
#SalgiWalkJamesUrian
Whether you are participating in-person or virtually, please remember to take pictures during your walk or run! When posting your photos on social media, use the hashtag #SalgiWalkJamesUrian and tag us @SalgiFoundation. Social media pages/profiles must be public for us to view and share. You can also email them to salgifoundation @ gmail . com to be posted!
The event is in loving memory of James Francis Urian
This first annual fundraiser is in honor of James Urian: husband, father, PopPop, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, who passed away from esophageal cancer on April 2, 2022.
Through this first annual event, Jimmy’s family hopes to spread awareness of esophageal cancer, advocate for families facing this disease and raise money to help fund research. Esophageal cancer is currently underfunded. Jimmy’s family hopes that more targeted treatments and immunotherapies will be developed with the help of contributions through Jimmy’s annual walk to remember him.
Jimmy’s journey with esophageal cancer was typical like the many others who suffer from the disease. The worrisome signs of hiccups, heartburn, and reflux were dismissed, and an endoscopy was only scheduled after Jimmy began having difficulty swallowing and keeping food down. On December 27, 2021, Jimmy was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer in two spots, thus beginning his short journey.
Jimmy was the youngest of three children, husband to Dawn, father to Kai-Leigh (Matt) and Justin (Morgan), and PopPop to six beautiful grandchildren: Emmett James, Colton Harris, Hallie Blake, Charlotte Jane, Teagan Rose and Maria Stella. He was a brother to Jeanne (Tom) and Bobby (Claudia), an uncle to several nieces and nephews and friend to many.
Jimmy had many interests: hunting, gardening, making soupy, dirt bike riding and the list goes on.
Most of all Jimmy is extremely missed by all who knew him, especially his family. He may be gone, but definitely not forgotten.
Learn the facts about esophageal cancer:
-Esophageal cancer has increased over 733% in the past four decades and is considered the fastest growing cancer in the US and western world.
-Risk factors include:
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD, acid reflux, chronic heartburn),
- obesity,
- poor nutrition,
- tobacco use,
- excessive alcohol use,
- Barrett’s esophagus.
-As one of the deadliest cancers, esophageal cancer has a 5-year survival rate of only 20.6%.
-There are no routine or standard screenings to improve early detection of esophageal cancer.
-Symptoms often arise late once the cancer is considered advanced or “distant” (spread to lymph nodes and other organs.)
-Stage IV esophageal cancer has a survival rate of only 5.7%.
-In 2023, an estimated 21,560 will be diagnosed and there will be an estimated 16,120 deaths.
-Despite all these facts, esophageal cancer research is extremely underfunded.
Make a difference!
Join The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation to help make a difference against esophageal cancer. Whether you walk, run, volunteer, sponsor or donate, your involvement will directly support this life-saving mission. Thank you!
Posted by salgiblogs 
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation 