Pink Run organiser wants active sports lifestyle

As the world celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Jamaicans are looking forward to the annual Pink Run in aid of the initiative, scheduled for October 29.

However, Pink Run organiser and the Jamaica Reach to Recovery (JR2R), President Sandra Samuels, is encouraging Jamaicans to maintain an active sporting lifestyle, even beyond the event, to help prevent and treat breast cancer.

"A healthy lifestyle is a must, whether cancer or otherwise. You need to maintain an active lifestyle (and) eat healthy ... it extends your life," the breast cancer survivor expressed.

Samuels said she is not perfect at keeping an active lifestyle, but tries her best to, as she walks and goes to the gym, being no longer an active track runner nor a hockey player as she was in high school.

However, keeping an active sporting lifestyle can help lower the risk of breast cancer.

"Obesity puts you at higher risk for cancer," she stated.

Along with promoting a healthy lifestyle, Samuels said sports, such as the 5K Walk Run, were the perfect avenue to spread breast cancer awareness.

"My reason for putting it in a run was that when I came to recover in 1999, 23 years ago, we did not have much of a public image. We were having luncheons (and) doctors' seminars, but we weren't speaking to the man on the streets.

"They couldn't relate, they weren't involved, and what is everyone involved in? Running and Walking!" The breast cancer survivor said. "Once they see the sea of pink, they will at least ask the question, 'Why dem have on di pink?' and the conversation can start. (We chose sports) for visibility mainly."