As many as 20,000 people joined the Susan G. Komen Uzbekistan Race for the Cure on May 1 to say no to breast cancer. Organized by Fund Forum, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the National Breast Cancer Association and the Women\'s Council, the race sought raise public awareness of breast cancer and raised funds to support efforts in Uzbekistan to fight the disease, which claims millions of lives worldwide.

Held on Tashkents Abdulla Qodiri Street, the race featured public figures, school children, Uzbek celebrities, doctors, athletes, businessmen, government officials, women living with breast cancer and everyone willing to contribute to a charitable cause. The international participants of the race included members of the UN Family, including the UN Information Center (UNIC) in Tashkent, the UNESCO, the UNFPA , the World Bank and the UNDP, representatives of the embassies of India, Italy and the USA and international organizations such as the British Council, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Korea International Cooperation Agency and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation among others.

The race was split into 5 groups: inclusive education; families with children; school, college and university students; women from various organizations, doctors and members of the diplomatic corps; and students, volunteers, celebrities and athletes. Winners of each group were honored with prizes and diplomas, Fund Forum said.

The International Race Ambassador of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Donna Sanderson, handed awards to members of the National Breast Cancer Association, Sanofi Aventis pharmaceuticals company as well as breast cancer survivors affiliated with “In the Name of Life” Association of Women – Galina Suplotova, Zubaida Hamidova and Marina Kurmanbayeva – who set an example to other women with their courage, determination and faith in life.

Gulnara Karimova, the chairwoman of National Breast Cancer Association\'s Public Council, who also joined the race, presented diplomas to the group of musicians and actors who had participated in the April 23 fundraising football match in Tashkent.

The race and the football match raised a total of 216 mln soums. The proceeds will go toward organizing free early detection campaigns, supporting women diagnosed with breast cancer, providing psychological and social rehabilitation as well as purchasing medication for breast cancer sufferers.

Also, the 1 May race had an educational purpose, with information stands mounted at the starting and finish points of the race and doctors distributing brochures on breast self-exam and answering participants’ questions about breast cancer. The event was pepped up with a concert which featured performances by Uzbek singers such as Rayhon, Nilufar Usmanova, Shokhrukhhon and Sahro group. The Tashkent race concluded the string of marathons held in other Uzbek regions, which drew roughly 40,000 people. All told, over 100,000 people have participated in the major fundraising run since it was launched in 2010. (Source: UzDaily.com)