Solutions from Ukraine: Ukraine holds world's first underground Race for the Cure to support women with breast cancer
Photo source: Event organizers
On September 27, Ukraine hosted the annual Race for the Cure charity run to support women diagnosed with breast cancer, raising funds for psychological support groups for patients in active treatment and remission ahead of global Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Rubryka reports, referring to the organizers.
Due to security risks, organizers relocated the Kyiv portion of the event to an underground parking structure equipped as a bomb shelter at the Blockbuster Mall, making it the first Race for the Cure in the world held in a shelter. Despite the altered format, hundreds of participants joined offline in Kyiv and Lviv.
Photo source: Event organizers
The event brought together over 580 participants who logged more than 2,6 million steps. Participants have raised 514,296 hryvnias to fund psychological support groups for women facing breast cancer, with fundraising remaining open through the end of October.
"This year's Race for the Cure became the first in the world held inside a shelter. We decided against canceling the offline format because this is as much about community as it is about fundraising. Every year, we bring patients, doctors, companies, and organizations together to connect, offer encouragement, and feel supported in return. Honestly, we have never received as much feedback as we did this year. People wrote that this day served as a breath of fresh air—a chance to step away from the relentless news cycle for a few hours and experience something uplifting," said Heorhii Akimov, Executive Director of the Inspiration Family Charitable Foundation.
Photo source: Event organizersOrganizing a run in an underground parking lot posed a unique technical challenge, requiring race officials to map a track, ensure adequate lighting and ventilation, and strictly adhere to safety standards.
Photo source: Event organizers
Prominent Ukrainian athletes and public figures joined the Kyiv run, including Olympic silver medalist in athletics Iryna Lishchynska, Olympic high jump bronze medalist Iryna Herashchenko, 1+1 TV presenter Marichka Padalko, and Ukrainian athletics champion and veteran rehabilitation advocate Orysia Demianiuk.
Photo source: Event organizers
This year, participant safety was an absolute priority: the organizers did not call on people to come specifically to the location and announced the possibility to run online—but even those who could have limited themselves to the online format still arrived.
"Events like this are about community and solidarity—giving people the opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences. Many women view my story as a beacon of hope because I have been in remission for ten years after twice surviving one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. Seeing someone who made it through reduces anxiety and offers hope to those currently undergoing treatment," noted Hanna Uzlova, President of the Inspiration Family Foundation.
Photo source: Event organizers
Photo source: Event organizers
Background
Race for the Cure is a global charity event where participants in over 30 countries walk and run to show solidarity with women facing breast cancer.
The Inspiration Family Charitable Foundation organizes the event in Ukraine, providing daily support and psychological care groups for women undergoing cancer treatment or living in remission.
