$10-million goal for 2023 Pink Run

The Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI) and the Jamaica Reach to Recovery (JR2R) have announced a $10- million goal for the annual charity 5K race, Pink Run, which is scheduled for Sunday, October 29.

A calendar event for the past 15 years, all proceeds go to the JR2R which is the breast cancer arm of the Jamaica Cancer Society. The 2023 'Family Fun Run: Colour Edition' was launched at Toyota Jamaica's head office in Kingston on Tuesday. Samantha Samuda, vice-president of marketing, distributions and HR at ICWI, said the ambitious goal is based on the increasing demands of the JR2R.

"Each year, the organisation is called upon by more and more persons affected by breast cancer for support and financing to provide the life-saving treatment they need. Over the years, as we work together to raise awareness and our fundraising ability, I have seen the collective will to support the fight against breast cancer. I am confident that this year will be a record-breaking year for the ICWI Pink Run."

ICWI handed over a cheque valued at $2 million to the JR2R and Sandra Samuels, president of the JR2R, expressed her appreciation for the support from the title sponsor, ICWI, and others.

"We are grateful for the love and support that Jamaicans and corporate Jamaica have continued to show to breast cancer survivors. The support from donors, sponsors, and participants has benefited so many men and women who would otherwise not have been able to afford the life-saving treatment and care they need to beat breast cancer," she said, while encouraging more corporate entities and Jamaicans, here and abroad, to join the fight.

GROWING NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

The Pink Run, which raked in $9 million at its last staging, saw over 6,000 participants don their tutus and tall socks to support the cause. Samuels noted that this year, "Even though the location remains at Hope Gardens, the route and the village location have been changed to accommodate the growing number of participants.

"Last year, we were caught off guard by the overwhelming support by participants in the final days before registration closed, and we were a bit unprepared for the large crowd. As such, this year, we are putting in all the necessary plans to ensure that all our runners and walkers will have more fun, more parking, and the amazing family feel the Pink Run brings," she said.

Registration is now open, and individuals, schools, and companies can register through the Pink Run website at www.pinkrunjm.com or in-person at the Pink Run Secretariat, which is located at Toyota Jamaica, 93 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6. For further information, persons may contact the Pink Run organisers via email at icwipinkrun secretariat@gmail.com or jareachtorecovery@gmail.com, or by phone at 876-327-9665 or 876-445-9407