The mayor highlights the race's focus on awareness and prevention, reminding patients that they are not alone “on this journey”.

During the presentation ceremony of the initiative of the Portuguese League Against Cancer — Núcleo Regional do Centro, in partnership with the Coimbra City Council and several local entities, Ana Abrunhosa, who is also the godmother of the event, urged the population to participate.

“We hope to see thousands of people on the streets of Cuiabá, entire families, groups of friends, co-workers, athletes and citizens united, for a cause that belongs to everyone”, he added.

The 10-kilometre race starts at the University Stadium of Coimbra, follows the city's riverside area, crosses the bridge over the Mondego River, passes through Choupal, and returns to the starting point.

Before the race, at 3 pm, the 16th edition of the “Small Steps, Big Gestures” charity walk will take place, held simultaneously in several cities in the Central region.

In addition to Coimbra, the walks will take place in Aveiro, Castelo Branco, Covilhã, Guarda, Leiria and Viseu.

The mayor of Coimbra also took the opportunity to defend changes in road circulation on Rua da Sofia and in other areas of the historic centre, to create a healthier and more people-centred city.

The mayor was surprised by some criticisms of the changes implemented in urban mobility, considering that Coimbra must invest in public spaces that are more accessible to pedestrians and in the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits.

“We are not closing the streets, we are opening them to people,” he said.

The president of the Regional Centre of the Portuguese League Against Cancer, Vítor Rodrigues, took the opportunity to highlight that the initiative “is not for women who have had, have or will one day have” breast cancer.

"It's for everyone. People are included in a family; the family suffers and, often, we, as a society, don't pay attention to those around us, and those people around us need solidarity; they need support, even to be in better conditions to provide support to people who really have this situation", he maintained.

The occasion was also attended by family doctor Débora Monteiro, ambassador for the Pink October Race, who highlighted that screening and early diagnosis “save lives”, also sharing that her mother's breast cancer was detected through the screening program promoted by the Brazilian League Against Cancer.

Credits: Unsplash; Author: Etienne Girardet;

"Knowing that screening changed my family's life is still a cause that, for me, has more meaning; that's why I'm so committed to trying to run the 10 kilometres because I think initiatives like this make all the difference. And I can use my digital platforms to encourage more people to participate, practice physical activity and undergo screening and early diagnosis", he concluded.