A warm, humid morning greeted participants, volunteers and vendors at the sixth annual Heart of an Angel Fight Against Colon Cancer 5-K run and 1-mile fun run/walk held July 11 along the Ironton Rail Trail in Coplay. The run began in the shadows of the historic Saylor Kilns.

The Heart of an Angel Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, sponsored the run to raise funds to combat colon cancer. Visit heartofanangel39.org for information about the foundation and consider a contribution to its mission.

The foundation’s mission statement is listening to and understanding individual needs to create a holistic plan to enhance communication, physical fitness and nutrition, along with breaking technology barriers with a focus on joy, positive mindset, happiness and worthiness.

Colorectal cancer rates are rising at an alarming rate among adults under 50 years of age, even as the rate of colon cancer declines in older adults. It is now the leading cause of cancer-related death in younger men and women. Approximately one in five new colorectal cancer diagnoses occurs in someone under 55. Early onset cases are increasing by roughly 3% annually for adults under 50 years of age.

The foundation’s founder is Delores Chalmers, of Allentown, who works to raise funds to fight colon cancer. She and her family experienced a personal family tragedy related to colon cancer.

Chalmers’ husband, Clinton Robinson, of Allentown, who commutes to New York City to work with the television show “Law and Order,” was on hand as a volunteer to assist the effort.

Nicole, Nick, Cameron, Lisa and Taylor Argeson and Damian Guzman, of Allentown, participated in the run to honor the memory of a beloved family member, Ted Argeson, who died of colon cancer.

Awilda Sanchez and her team from Enjoyable Events of Allentown offered baked goods and other items. Visit enjoyable-events.com or email enjoyableevents07@gmail.com or call 484-472-2025 to book an event and for more information.

Several walkers included their canine pets in the run. Angie Rizzo, of Bethlehem, was accompanied by her super-friendly dog, Ellie. Ellie was delightful to be around, wagging her tail, and appeared to be wearing a smile. She truly is a people-person canine and a service dog.

U.S. Army veteran octogenarian Bobby Howell was in his recumbent cycle and by happenstance rode by the starting line about 30 minutes before the race was to begin, prompting one race organizer to joke he was going to win the race. Not registered for the run, Howell wished the event much success and then peddled down the trail.

There was excitement in the air as runners began to assemble at the starting area, lining up for the BrynMar Racing group precision-timed race. Nick Perkowski, from Allentown, coordinated the race start and provided some safety tips for the run.

Young runner No. 3991 was a favorite to win the race and was in the first row at the start of the race. When the horn went off to begin, 3991 shot out like a rocket as a clear early leader.

Tonya Trotter, Sisters in Sorrow Inc. founder and president, joined Justina and Joshua Trotter at the organization’s vendor table. The Sisters group confronts the stigma surrounding suicide and the language that too often blames suicide victims and their families. Visit sistersinsorrow.org to learn more and to support their efforts.

Jayda’Lee Cruz, Blake Jernegan and Francis Soriano Sanchez staffed the registration table. They cheerfully assisted registrants in getting signed up and picking their race numbers.