According to the American Cancer Society, in 2015 there will be 16,980 new esophageal cancer cases diagnosed.

Sadly, nearly 15,590 people will die from esophageal cancer this year as well.

The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, which was founded in Rhode Island in 2011, will host their 4th Annual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run Saturday, June 20 at City Park to raise awareness and money for research and advocacy.

According to the Salgi Foundation, esophageal cancer is one of the faster growing cancers in America, having had a 600 percent increase of cases over the past decades with only a 17.5 percent survival rate after five years.

Risk factors of the disease include, but are not limited to, chronic acid reflux, obesity, malnutrition, alcohol abuse and tobacco use.

Currently, there is regular detection screening for esophageal cancer, but symptoms, such as trouble swallowing, don’t present until the cancer advances.

To raise as much as possible, the Salgi Foundation is encouraging participants and interested persons to start their own online fundraising page through Crowdraise.

The walk/run will be on Saturday, June 20 starting at 9 a.m. at Warwick City Park. Registration is $20 in advance and $25 day of. Children under 12 and dogs are admitted for free. Both individuals and teams are welcome.

For more information or to make a donation to the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, visit www.salgi.org.

To register or for more information on the walk/run, visit SALGI.org/events.

Lastly, to find more information on the crowd raising or to start your own page, visit Crowdrise.com/

EsophagealCancerWalkRun.