Excitement and emotion filled the room at the Marylanza hotel in Las Americas during the presentation of the 2023 Race for Life. The event, taking place this Sunday (3rd December), will bring thousands to the streets to support women and men battling breast cancer and emphasize the importance of prevention and early detection of the disease through regular medical check-ups.
Brigitte Gypen, president of the Canarian Foundation ‘Race for Life’ (Carrera Por La Vida), emphasized the significance of supporting people facing this condition during the event, stating that having someone by their side is crucial.
She illustrated this point with an example, recounting a recent call from a woman outside a hospital who had just been diagnosed. The woman expressed, "I don't know why I'm calling, but I know I have to call because I don't know what to do." Gypen emphasized the vital role played by family, friends, and foundations like hers in forming a "great team" around those immersed in an oncological process.
The foundation's president invited participants to the 4km walk from the starting point at Siam Mall (Adeje), through the streets of Las Americas and Los Cristianos to the finish on the Golden Mile in Arona.
The walk, which starts at 10:30 am, will be preceded by activities for all ages, including zumba, dancing, face painting, 360-degree photo booths, and a performance by DJ Dávid Pérez, the main entertainer at the start from 9.30am.
Refreshments, including water and fruit, will be distributed during the walk. Additionally, a bus service is provided for those unable to complete the route, ensuring participants can return to the starting point after the event. The arrival in Playa de Las Américas promises to be filled with attractions, including a musical performance by Renzzo El Selector, in what Gypen said will be "a different and fun celebration, as a celebration for life should be."
The mayor of Adeje praised the "solidarity and humanity" of Sunday’s event, drawing a parallel with the Christmas lights that illuminate municipalities during this time of year. He expressed his wish for the "Christmas light of Race for Life not to go out" and emphasized the international impact of the event, expecting global attention on December 3rd.
Arona's mayor, Fátima Lemes, anticipated a "beautiful day" on Sunday. She expressed gratitude for the foundation and its volunteers, singling out Herminia Tacoronte, coordinator of activities and an icon in the fight against cancer, as an "example of the beautiful things that can be done with love and unity."
She emphasized that Arona Council "supports this cause with special affection" and appreciated the visibility of the fight against breast cancer and the contribution of such initiatives to secure more funding for research.
All the proceeds from Sunday's event (participation with a free T-shirt costs six euros) will be directed towards the foundation's projects and "tomorrow's solutions," according to Gypen.
Registrations can be made at www.carreraporlavida.org and on Saturday and Sunday morning at Siam Mall. This year, T-shirts come in three colours: pink for those who have or are overcoming breast cancer, white for family and friends, and blue for the visibility of volunteers. Participants can dedicate their actions by specifying the name of the person for whom they are undertaking this activity on the back of their T-shirt.
The patron for this year’s walk is rally driver Rafael Lesmes, who is taking part in the Dakar Rally in January in a pink vehicle in support of the Walk For Life. Lesmes, expressing his gratitude, said, "I am just another volunteer and feel honoured, flattered, and overwhelmed. I can only thank Carrera Por La Vida and the municipalities of Adeje and Arona."
