March 5, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Hundreds of Alabama residents will come together this month at an East Birmingham park to share knowledge and learn more about the cancer- and disease-fighting potential of regular exercise and good nutrition.

The 2008 Urban Cancer Prevention & Control Conference will be March 15 at Hawkins Park Recreation Center, 8920 Roebuck Boulevard, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The event is sponsored by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center, the UAB Minority Health Research Center and the Deep South Network for Cancer Control. The conference program, subtitled "Urban WALK," will focus on ways to motivate people to adopt healthier lifestyles with proper nutrition and exercise.

One program that has shown good results is an ongoing public awareness campaign for community groups and individuals to establish walking clubs and elect team captains to track each team's progress.

Participants in the March 15 cancer prevention conference are asked to wear comfortable clothes and proper athletic shoes for fitness breaks.