The biggest pink event to grace the roadways of Jamaica every year is about to close registration.

With Jamaicans expected to turn out in their numbers to support the fight against breast cancer while donning their tutus and tall socks on October 30, the Jamaica Reach to Recovery (JR2R) is anticipating yet another successful event when the horns blow to start the run/walk at 6:30 am at the picturesque, Hope Botanical Gardens. With performances to close off the event from a number of top acts planned, participants have until midnight on Wednesday, October 26, to complete their registrations for the exciting event.

The family fun run, as it’s dubbed this year, will not be staged as a competitive race, but will focus more on participants enjoying the event, knowing that their participation will benefit the growing number of breast cancer survivors who rely on the JR2R for emotional, financial and psychological support. 

Explaining the change in format for this year, Carolind Graham, chairman of the JR2R, noted the pandemic challenged the planning team to think differently.

“After two years of COVID and a pause to the event, it was only fitting that the race was more of a family event in the hope that more Jamaicans will come out and join the cause while having fun together. We plan to paint Hope Gardens pink to build even more awareness around the cause,” she says.

The JR2R is the breast cancer support arm of the Jamaica Cancer Society and they are charged with the responsibility of raising funds to support their work with the survivors. The five-kilometre run/walk which takes place every October, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is the biggest fundraising event for the organisation which is self-funded. As the number of survivors climb each year, the JR2R solicits support from corporate entities to ensure that more Jamaicans have the lifesaving tests and treatments they need to win the fight against breast cancer.

This year, returning title sponsor, the Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI) is more than happy to carry on the tradition of leading the charge in this initiative, which places focus on women’s health.

Samantha Samuda, vice president of marketing, distribution and human resources at the ICWI, shared that the company is looking forward to supporting the initiative each year.

“Since we started partnering with the Jamaica Reach to Recovery in 2015, our team at ICWI look forward to planning, promoting and volunteering at the Pink Run each year,” shared Samuda.

“With 43 of every 100,000 Jamaican women being diagnosed with breast cancer each year, the chances that someone we know will be diagnosed is high so we encourage all Jamaicans to get on-board, register, donate and come run/walk for the cause, as someone we know may be the life we save,” continued Samuda.

“We started outside with the Pink Run and are happy to be outside once more. Exciting activities are planned for our participants and the sponsors who came on board plan to make this staging one for the books. We really need the funds to continue the work so come on out and run/walk with us,” pleaded Graham.

PROCEEDS WILL BE TURNED OVER TO THE JR2R

Once the online registration portal [www.pinkrunjm.com] closes, persons will still be able to make donations online or by visiting the Pink Run Secretariat upstairs Toyota Jamaica on Old Hope Road in St Andrew. For more information, organisations and individuals may contact the Pink Run Secretariat at 876-978-0375 or 876-517-0312 or via email at [email protected].

All proceeds from the initiative will be turned over to the JR2R to support its work with breast cancer survivors.

“Let’s run or walk to save lives,” Graham said.