Austin High School students again are supporting The Hormel Institute’s world-renowned breast cancer research by raising money through a 5k walk/run this month.

Members of the AHS Youth Leadership Club — which last year raised $2,500 for The Institute’s breast cancer research — are offering the second annual “Strides for a Cure” 5k walk/run at Saturday, May 19. This year’s event — about 3.1 miles long and open to men and women of all ages — is changing location to Austin’s Todd Park, where walkers and runners will use the park’s paved trail as well as 14th Street NE. The course is flat terrain on pavement.

Last year’s first “Strides for a Cure” drew more than 75 participants at Austin’s Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

Breast cancer is second to skin cancer as the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States, according to Mayo Clinic, a major collaborative research partner of The Hormel Institute.

Researchers at The Hormel Institute continue aggressive work aimed at making discoveries leading to the prevention and control of breast cancer as well as other types of cancer, said Dr. Zigang Dong, Executive Director there. Progress is being made, he said, as they try to find answers to cancer as quickly as possible.

“Cancer research is a collaborative effort, and the community’s support for our cutting-edge work is highly important and deeply appreciated,” Dong said. “These high-school students certainly are generous and thoughtful to have designated The Hormel Institute again as the beneficiary of all their hard work in putting this event together.”

Dedicated to community wide service, the Youth Leadership Club last year developed the idea for its first charity walk/run and chose The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota-Mayo Clinic, as the recipient of the funds raised by “Strides for a Cure.”

Registration, which includes a T-shirt, is $20 per person through Friday, May 4. After that, the cost increases to $25 per person. Same-day registration is allowed. Entry forms are available online — stridesforacurerace.tk — or at the AHS cashier’s office.

Race-day packets should be picked up between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. at Todd Park. People can park in Todd Park’s lot near its southeast entrance. Following a kickoff ceremony, the walk/run will begin at 9 a.m. Strollers are allowed for the walk portion. Bikes, inline skates, pets and portable music devices are not.

Donations also can be sent to the “Strides for a Cure Foundation” by making checks payable to the “AHS Youth Leadership Foundation” and sending them to Austin High School Youth Leadership, 301 Third St. NW. Proceeds go to The Institute’s breast cancer research.

Volunteers are needed for the event. Anyone interested in helping or with questions can contact club adviser Emily Hovland at emily.hovland@austin.k12.mn.us or 612-508-1343.