HONOLULU (KHON2) — March is colon cancer awareness month, and an event on Kauai will raise money to help support the local community and island residents impacted by cancer.

“Colon cancer rates continue to increase, especially in younger and younger people. It is a highly treatable, potentially curable cancer, so screening for it is critical. It is now the number one cancer killer of people under 50,” said Diann Hartman, the director of marketing communications at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, who is the organizer of the Bum Run.

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This event hits close to home for Hartman and the Grand Hyatt Kauai team.

“The resort has lost a number of colleagues to colon cancer in addition to colleagues’ family members,” she said. “The event began when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2014, when I was in my 40’s. I ate a very healthy diet, had been a vegetarian for 20 plus years, ran or walked daily with my dogs, so it was shocking! My colleagues felt helpless and wanted to do something to support me, so they organized the event with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Kauai.”

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The Bum Run is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 am at the Poipu Bay Golf Course. Hartman says people can expect beautiful views, camaraderie, a great silent auction, snacks, and a good community vibe.

You can register on active.com and search for Bum Run or Koloa.