In our last newsletter, we highlighted our new events this year — Linked Here — and now we’re excited to share with you our six events celebrating anniversaries in 2026!
5th Get Your Rear in Gear – Arizona…………………………3/7/26
5th Strollin’ For The Colon – Nashville……………………3/28/26
15th Get Your Rear in Gear – Winston-Salem…………3/28/26
15th Get Your Rear in Gear – San Antonio……………..4/12/26
10th Get Your Rear in Gear – Asheville…………………….8/1/26
15th Get Your Rear in Gear – Houston…………………..11/7/26
Registration opening soon for Houston!
LEDs RN Garyn Grijalva-Jafri & Dr. Rizwan Jafri / Get Your Rear in Gear – Arizona, 2025
Local Event Directors Dr. Rizwan Jafri and RN Garyn Grijalva-Jafri began Get Your Rear in Gear – Arizona as a colon cancer awareness and educational campaign when no event of its kind could be found in the local area.
“Being one of the most common cancers and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.,” shares Garyn, “the need for education is essential as it is one of the most preventable cancers if found early through screening colonoscopies.”
The event was a success, and now Get Your Rear in Gear – Arizona celebrates 5 years on Saturday, March 7th, at Freestone Park to continue educating the community on the importance of screening and preventive colonoscopies, as well as supporting those affected by colon cancer!
Strollin’ For The Colon – Nashville, 2023
Also celebrating 5 years is a Gearing Up The Coalition event, Strollin’ For The Colon – Nashville! Taking place on March 28th at Richland Creek Greenway, Strollin’ For The Colon was created by Melissa (Isse) Waddey, who unfortunately lost her battle with stage IV colon cancer in December of 2019.
Her family has continued to be active in the event in an effort to raise awareness in Isse’s memory, and Local Event Director, Haylee Waddey Hall, continues to put on Strollin’ For The Colon – Nashville in her sister-in-law, Isse’s, honor.
Get Your Rear in Gear – Winston-Salem, 2025
Event Manager Karlie, LED Todd Pittman, LED Danielle Swicegood, & LED David Hiller
Taking place on the same day, March 28th, Get Your Rear in Gear – Winston-Salem celebrates 15 years at Jamison Park! Winston-Salem is uniquely led by three Local Event Directors — Todd Pittman, Danielle Swicegood, and David Hiller.
“As healthcare workers,” shares Todd, “we all serve a purpose to provide quality, value-based care in the safest environment that yields the best patient, physician, and staff satisfaction.” A purpose that all three Event Directors bring to Get Your Rear in Gear – Winston-Salem!
Get Your Rear in Gear – Winston-Salem has raised money over the last 15 years to fund colonoscopy screenings for low-income, underserved colorectal cancer patients, as well as provide financial assistance for patients in active treatment and a FIT program for under- and uninsured individuals.
Get Your Rear in Gear – San Antonio, 2025
Get Your Rear in Gear – San Antonio also celebrates 15 years a couple of weeks later on Sunday, April 12th! Alex Wilborn joined us as the Local Event Director for Get Your Rear in Gear – San Antonio last year after losing her mom to colorectal cancer, and the event has grown so rapidly over the years that they’ve had to move locations to Mission County Park!
Get Your Rear in Gear – San Antonio falls over Fiesta Week this year, so we’re excited to offer limited edition Fiesta Medals (which are collector’s items in San Antonio)! Over the last 15 years, Get Your Rear in Gear – San Antonio has raised money to cover colonoscopies, education, and awareness efforts for first responders.
Get Your Rear in Gear – Asheville, 2024
Celebrating 10 years upon its return, Get Your Rear in Gear – Asheville kicks off on Saturday, August 1st!
Originally started by a group of GI nurses at Digestive Health Specialists, Get Your Rear in Gear – Asheville had to take a year off due to the damage and subsequent recovery efforts caused by Hurricane Helen in 2024.
Get Your Rear in Gear – Asheville has raised money over the past 10 years to help fund screening initiatives in Western North Carolina, and we’re beyond excited to be back in such a wonderful and strong community!
Get Your Rear in Gear – Houston, 2025 / LED Allison Rosen
Closing out our 2026 event season, Get Your Rear in Gear – Houston celebrates 15 years on Saturday, November 7th at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, TX, led by Allison Rosen.
Allison is a Colon Cancer Coalition Board member, Survivorship Council Board Liaison, fierce advocate, and colon cancer survivor. Allison utilizes both her work experience and personal battle with cancer to help clinical staff deliver and patients receive the best care possible. She loves volunteering and has a passion for educating people, especially the community under the age of 50, about colorectal cancer prevention.
Over the last 15 years, Get Your Rear in Gear – Houston has raised money for public awareness campaigns about colorectal cancer screening and the signs & symptoms, billboard and mobile banner ads, as well as financial grants given to CRC patients in active treatment for rent and utilities.
Thank you so much to all of the local volunteers, Local Event Directors, survivors, caregivers, sponsors, and participants whose help and support make what we do possible!
