April 27, 2011
On April 27, over 10,000 people joined “In the Name of Life” charitable marathon, a project devised by Gulnara Karimova in an effort to support women with breast cancer and children with disabilities as well as inclusive education in Uzbekistan. Now in its second year, the major marathon has fetched over 100 mln soums and was organized by the Fund Forum, the Women`s Council and “In the Name of Life” National Breast Cancer Association.
The main goal of the marathon is to tell women in Uzbekistan of the need and opportunity to take breast cancer prevention measures and to take regular medical checkups. All the proceeds from the second “In the Name of Life” Charitable Marathon will go toward addressing issues related to breast cancer, namely, organization of breast cancer detection campaigns for women across the country, purchase of the necessary medication as well as construction of a pilot nursery school for inclusive education in Jizzakh.
The organization of major charitable marathons helps attract public attention and involve interested people. This year charitable marathons were organized in each region in Uzbekistan, bringing together 23,000 people all told and now another 10,000 in Tashkent, and becoming a celebration of life and health. The marathons have fetched over 100 mln soums which will be channeled into fighting breast cancer, which has been made possible by people who have contributed by buying T-shirts and pink-ribbon products.
The Tashkent marathon has been supported by famous health experts, public figures, officials of ministries, diplomatic corps, banks, credit unions, boutiques, famous singers, actors and actresses, students, teachers, journalists… everyone who is not indifferent to the ideas of charity and support of women`s health.
At the start and finish lines of the marathon the runners could enjoy a concert with celebrities such as Zulaikho Boikhonova, Jakhongir Poziljonov, Raikhon, Nilufar Usmonova, Manzura, Ziyoda, “Aladdin” and “Zarba” music groups among others.
The Tashkent marathon comprised 4 stages. The first stage, a marathon titled “Join Us!” and overseen by the SISF, Special Olympics Uzbekistan and the Fund Forum, sought to support inclusive education in Uzbekistan. Its participants included boys and girls, students of inclusive education test schools, lyceums, colleges and boarding schools, their teachers and parents, celebrities, athletes, officials of the diplomatic corps and international guests who were wearing blue and yellow T-shirts. The runners in the other marathons wore white and pink T-shirts.
The second stage embraced children from kindergartens and schools, highlighting the fact that the marathon is open to people of all ages, especially children, who through these events learn to take care of their health and help people, especially their mothers.
The third main stage, “In the Name of Life”, included adults and was led by Gulnara Karimova who, along with students of colleges and lyceums, athletes, representatives of international organizations and diplomatic missions, did a three-kilometer course. This marathon was also joined by whole families and corporate teams who ran with pink balloons in their hands.
The fourth stage was a walking marathon which featured doctors and staff of the Ministry of Health, medical schools, cancer research centers, clinics and hospitals. By joining the walking marathon with many slogans, the participating women showed solidarity with each other in the face of the disease and reminding everyone they must take care of their health.
Each marathon was followed by an awards ceremony for the winners. The prizes for the winners of the first stage were presented by artist Akmal Nur and singers Raikhon and Manzura.
At the finish line, Gulnara saluted the winners of the third marathon with diplomas and prizes, and joined them to launch pink balloons into the sky as a symbol of women`s health.
The supporters of the Tashkent marathon included MTS, Beeline, Ucell, Akfa lighting, Novopharma, Parfum Gallery, DVV International, Megaplanet, Oltin Qanot, Lacoste, Podium Italia, GeoMax, Coca Cola, korzinka.uz, “Up to 16”, TIKA, Markaz Credit Union, Ipoteka Bank, Brand 910, NAMOCU, Europa Exclusive, Alokozay, The World Bank, “Krasnaya Liniya”, New Millennium, Inkonel, Bank Ipak yoli, and Aleko.
“In the Name of Life” National Breast Cancer Association was given the goal of reducing female mortality caused by breast cancer. To achieve this goal, the Association works to encourage women to take regular medical checkups and to introduce a program of mass examination for women in Uzbekistan under a Program of Breast Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Rehabilitation of Women with Breast Cancer adopted in 2010.
Related links
American breast cancer specialists lead training session for Uzbek colleagues