Bill Griffith, San Diego news anchor and melanoma survivor, returns for his fifth year as emcee of the annual Bruce Gorder UCSD 5K Walk for Melanoma at the University of California, San Diego.  This year, he is teaming up with Mark Loretta, former infielder for the San Diego Padres and also a melanoma survivor.  Griffith and Loretta will provide opening remarks before the walk begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11.

The Gorder Walk is an annual event to raise funds for cancer research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center, as well as an opportunity to build awareness in the community of the importance of prevention and early detection of melanoma. More than 68,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanoma in 2009, according to the American Red Cross, and there were an estimated 8,700 deaths from melanoma. The Gorder Walk has raised $1.1 million for cancer research and this year, the goal is to raise an additional $125,000.

Winding through the scenic UC San Diego campus, the walk begins and ends at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center and features pieces of the famous Stuart Collection. New this year, the event will include a resource fair with healthy living tips and giveaway items. Community dermatologists will be providing professional melanoma and skin cancer screenings for attendees. In addition, the American Red Cross will host a blood drive.  

The event honors the memory of Bruce Gorder, who lost his battle with melanoma at the age of 37, leaving behind a wife and daughter. One year later, Gorder’s widow, Vicky, assisted by his father, Chuck, organized a 5K walk to raise funds for cancer research while paying tribute to Bruce’s memory. For the past 17 years, Chuck has taken over leadership of the walk, which has become a local tradition, uniting the community in a common purpose of honoring melanoma survivors and supporting the search for a cure. 

Walkers of all ages and fitness levels are invited to attend this family friendly event. Registration is $30 and includes a free T-shirt and entry into a drawing for prizes. To register, visit www.cancer.ucsd.edu and click on “17th Annual Bruce Gorder UCSD 5K Walk for Melanoma” under the events tab. Participants can also pre-register for the blood drive by visiting www.redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code MOORES. For additional information, call (858) 822-1328.