CHICAGO, July 26, 2010 — City of Hope knows that fighting one women’s cancer at a time is not enough. To advance lifesaving research and ensure women everywhere benefit from new and improved therapies, City of Hope’s Chicago Walk for Hope is expanding to encompass breast and gynecological cancers. On Sunday, October 3, at Gallery Park at the Glen in Glenview, join hundreds of survivors and supporters and take steps to support lifesaving research at City of Hope, one of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment centers. To register for the Walk or donate, visit www.walk4hope.org.

The Chicago Walk for Hope will be hosted by Jackie Bange of WGN TV News and will feature live music and entertainment, a children’s area, sponsor giveaways and a survivors’ pavilion with refreshments and goody bags. Registration for the Walk begins at 7:30 a.m. The last day to register online is September 28.

This year, the Chicago Walk for Hope is locally sponsored by Comcast, Whole Foods Northbrook and United Stationers. As national presenting sponsor, Staples is matching the total funds raised by walkers nationally, up to $250,000 for the 2010 Walk for Hope, and Farmer’s Insurance Group and Ladies’ Home Journal are national sponsors.

Walk for Hope is the nation’s only series of walks that take place annually in cities across the country that directly benefit research, treatment and education program for cancers unique to women. Walk for Hope events will take place in eight cities from May through November 2010. This year’s Walk for Hope will feature the theme color purple to represent women’s cancers.

This year, more than 207,000 new cases of women’s breast cancer and nearly 84,000 new cases of gynecological cancers are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. Walk for Hope’s expanded focus on gynecological cancers will deepen researchers' understanding of the biology of women’s cancers to enhance treatment.

"Research at City of Hope not only focuses on developing new treatments for women with breast and gynecological cancers, but also addresses ways to improve these patients' quality of life," said Joanne Mortimer, M.D., vice chair and professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope. "These cancers attack the body and the soul, undermining how women see themselves at their very core and how they relate to their families and friends. We are committed to both curing and healing the whole patient."

As part of this commitment, City of Hope maintains a Women’s Cancers Program, an interdisciplinary effort that brings together researchers and clinicians to improve outcomes for these cancers. Researchers are investigating risk factors for breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers as well as interventions that could reduce those risks. Researchers also are identifying potential therapies, including targeted treatments, and prevention methods, and exploring the challenges experienced by women to help ease the complications survivors may face.

“We’re thrilled to have the support of Walk for Hope. The money our walkers and their donors provide will give us the boost we need to help even more women live longer, healthier lives,” said Mortimer.

In its 16-year history, Walk for Hope has raised more than $29 million for breast cancer research, treatment and education.