UA News

The goal for the annual CATwalk event, a fundraiser for the Arizona Cancer Center at the UA, is $100,000 this year.

CATwalk, now in its eighth year, will be held Saturday to raise funds toward finding a cure for cancer in women.

The annual event is the premier public philanthropic event created by The University of Arizona's fraternity and sorority community to benefit the Bobbi Olson Fund for women's cancer research, education and prevention at the Arizona Cancer Center.

The event features a 6.2-mile run, which will begin on the UA Mall at 10 a.m. The 3.1-mile non-competitive walk, co-organized by the Southern Arizona Roadrunners Association, will start at 1 p.m.

A special "kids walk" with UA cheerleaders for families will begin at 1:15pm.

The CATwalk fundraiser began as a modest stroll along Greek row, the East Second Street strip of homes that belong to The University of Arizona’s fraternities and sororities.

Students coordinated the walk to raise money for women's cancer research and prevention at the Arizona Cancer Center. It was their way of reaching out to men’s basketball coach Lute Olson after his wife Bobbi Olson, who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, died in 2001.

“Supporting CATwalk is a great way to give back to the UA and Tucson community while showing solidarity in helping to fight for a cure for all women’s cancers,” Lute Olson said in a statement.

“Each year their enthusiasm and dedication amazes me.” Olson added “As you know, this is a personal commitment of mine – to find a cure. But, like a basketball game, there can’t be just one player on the court. This is a team effort.”

The Bobbi Olson Fund has since been established. Also, Lute Olson made a personal goal to raise $5 million for cancer research and continues to applaud CATwalk.

The event is being presented this year by Sol Casinos and more than 3,000 people are expected to participate.

An expo will also be held in the afternoon, featuring food, entertainment and information about cancer.

Lute Olson, a Hall of Fame basketball coach and the event's honorary chair, said: "UA fraternity and sorority students have been inspirational in their determination to raise funds for the division of women's cancers at the Arizona Cancer Center."

Olson added: "Each year their enthusiasm and dedication amazes me. As you know, this is a personal commitment of mine – to find a cure. But, like a basketball game, there can't be just one player on the court. This is a team effort."

The annual CATwalk has raised more than $250,000 in the past seven years in support of the Bobbi Olson Fund for women's cancer research, education and prevention at the Arizona Cancer Center. This year's goal is to raise more than $100,000.