Community

Spectrum Health’s Irish Jig 5K Launches 2016 Registration

Runners can get the season off to a fast start by participating in Spectrum Health’s annual Irish Jig 5K on Saturday, March 19. Now in its 33rd year, the Irish Jig, held in East Grand Rapids, has grown to become one of Michigan’s premier 5K races.

The race is limited to 4500 runners. Early registration is available now through March 17 at www.spectrumhealth.org/irishjig.

The annual event seeks to raise awareness of colorectal cancer prevention and treatment. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,700 deaths during 2016.

Irish Jig top age group winners receive prizes and the top overall finishers receive cash awards. For more information, visit www.spectrumhealth.org/irishjig, email IrishJig@spectrumhealth.org or call  616.391.4JIG (4544)

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 12 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 183 ambulatory and service sites; more than 3,400 physicians and advanced practice providers, including nearly 1,400 members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a health plan with about 658,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer, with 23,800 employees. The organization provided $283 million in community benefit during its 2015 fiscal year. Spectrum Health is the only health system in Michigan to be named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics for 2015. This is the fourth time the organization has received this recognition.