On Sunday, Sept. 14, Cuningham Group Architecture is hosting the 3rd annual Sop’s Hop 5-K run and 2-mile walk to benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation. The benefit will support research and education,a s well as honor Mark Sopko and his good friend Michael Schrock, two Minneapolis architects have lost their lives in the past two years.

Sopko, an avid runner and native of Minnetonka, lost his decade-long battle with Lymphoma in 2006. His good friend Michael Schrock, of Minneapolis, came up with the Sop Hop run/walk idea as a way to remember his good friend. Tragically in 2008, Michael was hit by a car and killed while on an early-morning walk. The race now carries on as a way to honor both Mark and Michael.

Scheduled one day before the annual World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD) on Sept. 15, this year’s event is just one of many that will be held throughout the world to raise awareness about lymphoma. Launched in 2004 and now an established date on the health calendar, WLAD provides a focus for doctors, nurses, patient support groups, patients and their families to join forces in a united campaign to inform the public about lymphoma, its signs and symptoms and how it affects the lives of a million people around the world.

What: Sop’s Hop run/walk
Where: The race starts at Nicollet Island, near the bridge outside of Nicollet Island Inn
When: Sunday, Sept. 14. Registration at 8 am; Race at 10 am
Cost: $25 entry fee for all participants
Details: Tables and tents will be set up near St. Anthony Main in the plaza outside of Aster Café and Vic’s. There is parking nearby and restrooms in the basement of St. Anthony Main. There will be prizes awarded to Male, Female, Masters and Youth categories
Info: www.sopshop.org
Media Contact: Clint Roberts, One Simple Plan, 612-242-3721

The Lymphoma Research Foundation (www.lymphoma.org) is the nation’s largest voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and healthcare professionals with critical information on the disease. The Minnesota chapter is one of the most active in the nation — hosting a full schedule of community events and fundraisers throughout 2008.

The foundation’s annual 5k walk “the Lymphomathon,” held in June, raised a record $120,000 for research and education for the most common blood cancer in the United States.

The Lymphoma Research Foundation raises awareness of lymphoma and research funds for a cure for the most common blood cancer and the third most common cancer in children. More than 500,000 Americans are living with lymphoma. In 2007 alone, approximately 1,170 people from Minnesota were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and another 350 will have died from the disease. It’s estimated that there will be more than 72,000 new cases of lymphoma in the U.S. this year, and almost 20,000 people will die from it, according to the American Cancer Society.

About the Lymphoma Research Foundation
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and healthcare professionals with critical information on the disease. LRF’s mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease. More than 85 cents of every dollar spent goes to research and programming. As of the close of FY 2007, LRF has funded over $35 million in lymphoma-specific research. LRF also provides a comprehensive series of programs and services for patients, survivors and loved ones affected by lymphoma, including our toll-free Lymphoma Helpline and Clinical Trials Information Service, in-person patient education programs, webcasts/teleconferences and support services. For more information, visit www.lymphoma.org. ###

last revised: September 12, 2008

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