Maritza Job Giordano

📅 Date: June 14, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM
📍 Location: Tallman Meadow Park
12335 Canterberry Parkway, Parker, CO 80138

Move With Purpose. Make an Impact.

We invite you to join us for the 2026 Colorado 3K/5K Walk/Run for Kidney Cancer—a meaningful, family-friendly event bringing our community together to support those affected by kidney cancer.

Participants are welcome to walk or run the 3K or 5K route—or simply move any distance you’re comfortable with. Every step helps raise awareness and supports life-saving kidney cancer research.

The morning will include:

🌯 Breakfast burritos
🥤 Non-alcoholic beverages
🎶 Music
🧡 Opportunities to learn about kidney cancer and support important research

Whether you walk, run, cheer, or simply come to support others, your presence truly matters. We encourage everyone to participate and bring friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors.

Led by a Survivor. United for a Cure.

The Colorado team is led by kidney cancer survivor Maritza Job Giordano.

Maritza understands firsthand the challenges that come with a kidney cancer diagnosis—the fear, uncertainty, and determination it takes to keep moving forward. Her story is a powerful reminder of why this event matters.

Every step taken on June 14 honors patients like Maritza who are fighting today and supports the research that gives families hope for tomorrow.

When our community shows up, we remind patients that they are not alone.

Why the 81K Challenge?

This year, 81,000 people will be diagnosed with kidney cancer, and more than 600,000 people in the United States are currently living with the disease.

The Kidney Cancer Association created the 81K Challenge to raise awareness and fund research focused on better treatments—and ultimately, a cure.

Recent funding cuts have reduced kidney cancer research funding by nearly $50 million annually, making community support more important than ever.

Together, we can turn awareness into action.

How to Register

Signing up is simple:

1. Click “Join the 81K Challenge.”

2. Create your personal page to secure your spot.

3. Donate the suggested $50 registration fee to your page.

⚠️ Important: During registration, please be sure to select the team: “Colorado 81K.” This ensures you are included with the Colorado event participants.

✔ A $50 donation includes an official 81K Challenge T-shirt.
✔ Donations are currently being matched by AVEO Oncology, doubling your impact.

With the match, your $50 donation has the impact of $100.

Registering as a Family

Families are welcome to register together under one shared page, making it easy for everyone to participate as a group.

While families may register on one page, a $50 donation per participant is encouraged. Each $50 contribution supports kidney cancer research and includes an official event T-shirt for that individual participant.

My Story:

In 2023 I was diagnosed with Stage II Renal Cell Carcinoma. I had just celebrated four years of marriage with my husband Jeff, my son Santino was two, and my daughter Carmen was 5  months old.   Learning that I had cancer while at the peak of such a joyful time in my life came as a terrible surprise.  I had no knowledge of Kidney cancer, and no indication that I had it. 

I was so blessed to have my tumor successfully removed, and my kidney preserved through a partial nephrectomy.   By the grace of God, I did not require any further treatment after surgery.  I am currently two and a half years post diagnosis and surgery, and remain under surveillance.  

Cancer is the most frightening thing I’ve ever experienced, especially as a mother of two young children.  My health affects my family and my biggest fear was not being able to be here for them.  Cancer and the uncertainty that comes with it is terrifying, but I survived it.  Too many others will not be able to say the same- which is why I feel so compelled to raise awareness and money to fund research. 

My goal is to raise $81,000, to fund research. With our efforts, I hope that there will one day be a cure and a known cause of kidney cancer, and all cancers.  There are far too many people, especially children and young adults, affected by cancer. 

Please help me make a difference by participating in the KCA Colorado walk/run, donating, or sponsoring the event. 

With all of my love and gratitude,

Maritza

You can read more about my experience with Kidney Cancer here:

https://www.kidneycancer.org/maritza-job-giordano-2/