Exciting Changes For 2018 ICWI/Jamaica Reach to Recovery Pink Run

The ICWI/Jamaica Reach to Recovery Pink Run has announced a slew of changes to the 18-year-old event. The event is slated for this Sunday, a change from the traditional Saturday staging.

The location and route of the event are also new, with participants now starting the race at Emancipation Park and taking a new course that will boost the experience for runners.

According to vice-president of ICWI and chairperson of the Pink Run Samantha Samuda, the rapid growth of the event over the last few years resulted in the decision to make adjustments to the date and location.

"Last year, we nearly doubled the number of participants compared to our 2016 staging as Jamaicans responded with resounding effect to our plea to join the fight against breast cancer. Therefore, we had to change the location of the race start as we have outgrown our previous location and anticipate further growth. We chose to switch to a Sunday as a response to feedback where a lot of corporations indicated an inability to send a group due to the operation of their business on a Saturday," Samuda said.

The event's chairperson is encouraging running groups, school groups, families and fun lovers to register for a day of competition and camaraderie that is themed 'Tutus and Tall Socks, Colour Edition.'

Jamaica Reach to Recovery is an affiliate of the Jamaica Cancer Society that offers emotional, psychological and financial support to breast-cancer survivors. The organisation consists of volunteers who are breast cancer survivors.

Chairperson of Jamaica Reach to Recovery Carolind Graham voiced her appreciation for the overwhelming response of Jamaicans for the event's rally for support in increasing awareness about breast-cancer and raising funds for persons affected by the disease.

"We were grateful to see the level of support from all corners of Jamaica last year as each person's support touched the life of someone in an unforgettable way. This run is critical as a fundraiser for Reach To Recovery as it facilitates women who need assistance with the costs of crucial diagnostic tests and treatments," she said.

"The ICWI Pink Run also emphasises the need for regular screenings as early diagnosis is a big part of successful treatment, so essentially, the event saves the lives in many ways," she added.

According to Graham, persons affected by breast cancer typically face costs of over a million dollars from their diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

The ICWI/Reach to Recovery Pink Run, pink is the colour associated with breast cancer worldwide, is a themed 5k run/walk. Individuals and groups are encouraged to showcase their creativity through their outfits as there will be prizes for the best-dressed team and best-dressed individual.