UTSW employees log more than 26 million steps during Fit2Be Cancer Free challenge

Update: Sept. 30, 2020

UTSW employees log more than 26 million steps during Fit2Be Cancer Free challenge

The American Cancer Society’s annual Fit2Be Cancer Free Challenge brings together companies from across the country in a virtual step-tracking race to see which can log the highest number of steps and miles along the journey to better health.

UT Southwestern joined this year’s race with a team of 240 employees, led by the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity (COEE). Participants tracked their daily steps from July 16 to Aug. 6 through an easy-to-use app that featured educational content on cancer prevention and encouraged social connection through team chats.

Members of our organization had a variety of reasons to join the Fit2Be Cancer Free Challenge. Abraham Ramirez, Materials Technician at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, walked to honor his mother, Virginia Ramirez, who is a breast cancer survivor. Sobi Thomas, a Transplant Coordinator in the University Hospital Kidney and Liver Transplant Clinic, entered Fit2Be at the encouragement of her colleague, Deleatha Foster. During the wellness initiative, Ms. Thomas committed to walking for at least an hour each day with her neighbor. 

Collectively, the UT Southwestern team logged over 26 million steps and covered nearly 12,000 miles in its race to the finish line. UTSW ranked No. 3 in average daily steps against other North Texas organizations competing in this year’s event, which included McKesson, Bank of Texas, the City of Dallas, and the City of Fort Worth.

Top steppers – including Sandy Bennett, Dr. Juan Cabrera, Dr. Stephen Chung, Pam Jennings, Finny Johnson, Sharon Leary, Hong Li, Melinda Liu, Mark Mondress, Alvaro Noriega Ramirez, and Kelly Wilder – were invited to a “Cuppa Conversation” about leadership with UT Southwestern strategists Marcia Schneider and Alan Kramer as well as Dr. John Sweetenham, Associate Director for Clinical Affairs in the Simmons Cancer Center. Dr. Sweetenham applauded the Fit2Be challengers as ambassadors for exercise. “There is strong evidence that it improves cancer treatment outcomes,” he said. “We need to get that message out.”

To learn more about exercise and its impact on cancer, watch “Exercise and Cancer Prevention,” a webinar hosted by the Office of COEE.

Original post: July 9, 2020

Nearly half of all cancer deaths are caused by risk factors such as smoking, excess weight, and physical inactivity, which is why living a healthy lifestyle is important.

The American Cancer Society’s Fit2BeCancerFree is a virtual step-tracking fitness event to promote cancer prevention in the workplace. The Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center invites you to join a UT Southwestern all-campus team as we compete with organizations across the nation in a quest to log miles against cancer.  

Register now and step up July 16-Aug. 6 for a virtual, surprise-filled race! Your steps will be logged through the MoveSpring app on your smartphone, and the goal is to move a total of 70 miles over the duration of the challenge. You’ll unlock fun milestones along the way and hear from celebrities and other VIPs on what this initiative and fighting cancer means to them. To join:

• Access the MoveSpring app by creating an account on movespring.com or by downloading the app (available on iOS or Android) on your smartphone. 
• Enter the organization code UTSMC or access https://link.movespring.com/join?orgCode=UTSMC to join the team.
• Follow the steps to create your MoveSpring account and connect a device. You can connect a fitness tracker, such as a FitBit or Garmin, to the app. You can also participate with just your cell phone.

Once your account is created, you’ll automatically be added to the challenge. Need an extra incentive? UT Southwestern’s top five steppers will be invited to a virtual Cuppa Conversation mentorship session with UTSW leaders. Additional prizes will be announced soon!

Help UT Southwestern earn national bragging rights for step-tracking and let’s bridge our distance through this shared step journey. For technical support, email support@movespring.com. For questions about the event, OfficeofCOEE@UTSouthwestern.edu the Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity at the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.