Hundreds of People and Pooches Walk to Wipe Out Pet Cancer

Nearly $30,000 Raised at Ninth Annual Nationwide K9K Pet Cancer Awareness Walk

A crowd of canines took to the shores of Long Beach, Calif. as they accompanied their owners to raise money and awareness to cure pet cancer. On Nov. 8, Nationwide the nation’s first and largest pet insurer, hosted the ninth annual Nationwide K9K Pet Cancer Awareness Walk to benefit the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF), a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for pet cancer by funding research in comparative oncology, the study of naturally occurring cancers in pets and people. The one-day-event generated nearly $30,000 in donations, contributing to a total of $280,000 Nationwide has raised to benefit the ACF since 2007.

Attendees and their dogs walked nearly two miles in Long Beach near Shoreline Village Lighthouse and Peninsula, with many participating in honor of past or current pets stricken with cancer.

“Nationwide’s nine year commitment to our mission has enabled us to increase funding for groundbreaking research,” said Barbara Cohen, Executive Director, Animal Cancer Foundation. “By joining together for the Long Beach K9K, Nationwide and ACF are able to educate pet owners about early detection of pet cancer, explain advances in specialty treatment made possible by research, and inform them about the role that studying naturally occurring pet cancers has in building a greater understanding of cancer in people.”

In addition to the funds raised at the Long Beach K9K, Nationwide will donate $5 to the ACF, up to $20,000, for every photo, story or statistic shared on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using #CurePetCancer during the month of November. For more information, visit www.curepetcancer.com.

“Just like humans, cancer is a looming danger in the lives of our pets,” said Dr. Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, Vice President and Chief Veterinary Medical Officer for Nationwide. “The prevalence of pet cancer continues to increase year over year. Last year we received 67,000 pet cancer related claims – 4,000 more than the year prior. However, there is hope for owners whose pets are suffering from cancer. Advances in treatment and early detection, along with affordable financial solutions, have given pet lovers a number of options to fight back.”

To learn more about pet cancer and tips for detecting pet cancer, go to www.petinsurance.com/cancer.