On Saturday, September 26, Sarajevo will host the 19th edition of the Race for the Cure, an event dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer, supporting women who are facing the disease and raising funds for the activities that the “Think Pink” organization carries out throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For years, Race for the Cure has been gathering citizens, families, teams, ambassadors and women who have survived breast cancer or are currently fighting the disease.
One of the ambassadors of this year’s race, Aida Terzić, points out that participation is primarily a matter of solidarity.
“We will not change the diagnosis of these women, but we will change the way they all feel – so that they see that they are not alone,” said Terzić.
He emphasizes that the Race for the Cure is not a classic race, nor is the goal for all participants to run.
“It’s not about running. It’s not a marathon and we’re racing. It’s really much more – one step towards solidarity,” said Terzić.
A large number of participants is expected
Regional director of Race for the Cure and president of the Think Pink organization, Nela Hasić, says that registrations are still ongoing, and that teams from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina are joining the action in the last few days.
The final amount of collected funds will be known after the end of this year’s campaign, but the trends, as stated by Hasić, show that they are currently approximately at last year’s level, with the possibility of exceeding it in the end.
“We are there somewhere like last year, but I give room for us to overcome that in the last couple of days,” said Hasić.
Sarajevo schools also joined the action, while patient teams and associations from different parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina are preparing for the end of the campaign.
Race for the Cure is not just one day
Hasić emphasizes that the goal of the event is multiple and that the activities do not end with the race.
“Race for the Cure is not just one day. Race for the Cure is first of all a campaign, and after that we just continue what we do 365 days a year,” said Hasić.
According to her, the organization does not provide direct financial assistance to patients. Funds collected through the campaign, together with the support of partners, are channeled into activities in the community, including preventive examinations, psychological support and assistance packages for women after surgery.
During September, examinations are organized at various locations throughout the country, while professional psychological support is available in 21 cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Every year, we diagnose ten cancers, usually in the early stages, and we can say that we save lives that way,” Hasić pointed out.
This year’s second ambassador, Sara Vojičić, says that the invitation to participate in the campaign was a special honor for her, but also an emotional experience.
“We all have someone who is fighting or who fought, who won, who, unfortunately, lost. And for the sake of all our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, friends, I think it is very important that we raise awareness about this disease,” said Vojičić.
She invited citizens to join the action and donate, stressing that even small individual amounts can, when added up, make a significant difference.
The importance of preventive examinations
The interlocutors particularly pointed out the importance of taking care of one’s own health and regular examinations.
Hasić says that, despite the progress in raising awareness, work must still be done to ensure that women regularly perform preventive examinations.
“You put it in your calendar, let the reminder ring, once a year you go to all these examinations. And it is this awareness that we have to awaken with these conversations,” said Hasić.
He points out that a lot has changed compared to the period almost two decades ago, when breast cancer was much less talked about in public.
600 to 700 women who are fighting or have fought the disease are expected
At this year’s Race for the Cure, between 600 and 700 women who have survived breast cancer or are currently fighting this disease are expected.
“We celebrate them together with them and their victory and their fight,” said Hasić.
He adds that, despite the severity of the disease, the atmosphere during the Race for the Cure is filled with positive energy.
“What is dominantly present there is a smile and that one beautiful energy that spreads,” she pointed out.
The program starts at 10 am
The program on Saturday starts at 10 a.m. with the opening of the children’s corner. At 10:30 a.m., children’s races will be held for children up to six years old and older ones, up to 12 years old.
The race for runners starts at 11:30, while the walk is planned for 12:00.
The program on the stage on the plateau in front of the SCC starts between 11 and 11:15. The organizers announce music, dancing, Zumba, aerobics, entertainment, and activities for the whole family.
The organizers emphasize that you do not need to be a runner to participate. What matters, they point out, is being part of a shared cause and showing support for women facing breast cancer.
“It is important to be part of the story, to be there, and to be aware that any one of us could receive such a diagnosis,” said Hasić, BHRT writes.
