about the father's day event

Download the OB Cole Foundation Brochure

I believe my life was spared after surviving prostate cancer because God has a greater plan for me. It became my mission to help save the lives of other men by focusing on early detection, education and awareness of prostate cancer and, thus, founded the Father's Day Race in 2002. I met Jerry Bortman a short time later and have planned and co-directed the Race with him ever since. We joined forces with Robin Cole, and the Obediah Cole Foundation for Prostate Cancer was born in 2007.

Who would have believed that our event could grow to be such a great success?

I approached Mayor Murphy at The Great Race in September of 2002, and began the process of creating the Father's Day 5/10K Race. We did not have a race in Pittsburgh like the Race for The Cure®, which is held on Mother's Day. It was time to start our event on Father's Day.

Our mission is to save lives with early detection, education, and awareness.

The number of race participants has more than quadrupled since 2003! More importantly, we have screened thousands of men in the last five years. Other than voluntary donations made to the Prostate Cancer Education Council, the money we raise stays in Pittsburgh. We are one of many races that are part of the P.A.C.E. (Prostate Awareness and Cancer Education) series. We are volunteer-based – no one is paid for their work. We want to grow our event to be as large as the Race for the Cure. Our goal is to have all men in Western Pennsylvania, over the age of 50, screened. We have already lost too many fathers, brothers, grandfathers, uncles, and friends.

Our success would not have happened without the support of our sponsors, volunteers, and participants. You are helping us save lives. We have only just begun. Cancer does not sleep and neither do we! We are fueled by the memories of all of the men that have succumbed to this disease and with your help, we will win!