Powerful message against cancer from hundreds of Run Bike Care 2023 participants

Hundreds of runners and cyclists of all ages and abilities joined forces and voices on Sunday, June 11, 2023, through his philanthropic activity Run – Bike – Care, co-organized by Association of Volunteer Cancer Patients – Friends of Doctors “K.E.F.I.” Athens by Organization of Culture, Sports and Youth of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA), in its center Athens, in the Zappeio but also in other cities of Greece. The participants they ran, walked 5 km. and they cycled 10km without competition, supporting it “Together and at Home” program.

This year’s Run Bike Care action took place in the presence of the Olympic and European champion in the 400m. with obstacles Pericles Iakovakis, of the Greek-American Ambassador of Hellenic Tourism and ultramarathon runner Konstantinou Karnazis, of Survivor, Member of Parliament of New Democracy and Ambassador of Greek Sports Ms. Maria Polyzou, of the General Secretary of Sports, Mr. Giorgos Mavrotas, of the Candidate Member of Parliament for the Southern Sector of the Communist Party of Greece, Mr. Nikos Kalogeris, of the President of the Regional Council of Attica, Mr. Giorgos Dimopoulos, of the Deputy Mayor of Social Solidarity and Citizens’ Society of the Municipality of Athens, Ms. Katerina Gagaki, of the Paralympic gold medalist in the shot put Chejon Fernandes, of the Paralympic silver medalist, world and European discus champion, Maki Kalaras, of the Hypermarathon Road Joe Manda, of the Journalist, Doras Tsambazis, the physical education teacher Mantis Persakis, of the President of the Association of Volunteer Cancer Patients – Friends of Doctors “K.E.F.I.” of Athens, Ms. Zois Grammatoglou and the President of the Culture, Sports and Youth Organization of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA), Ms. Nikis Arabatzi.

At 08:30 in the morning the cycling team started 10km and at 09:30 the start of the runners who ran and walked 5km with a starting and ending point the iconic Zappeion Megaron, which is a historical heritage in Greek Culture. With the message “Run – Bike – Get Informed” the cyclists covered the beautiful route in the center of Athens twice, to complete the 10km, while the runners and walkers, once, doing the 5km.

The action except the Athena was held nationwide and in Thessaloniki, at Syros, at Sparta, in the Gythio and in other cities, putting into practice the slogan of the association K.E.F.I. “We Run Faster Than Cancer”. O K.E.F.I. Association honor survivors and remember those who have passed away from cancer with the Run Bike Care, uniting the voices of all people who have lived a cancer experience.

All his income Run Bike Care in the “Together and at Home” Program

The proceeds from this year’s Run – Bike – Care event funded it “Together and at Home” program, which constitutes the realization of the vision of the association K.E.F.I. to improve the quality of life of oncology patients and their families who are unable to move from their homes. The program started its operation in September 2018 and since then it has not stopped supporting people in their home by providing psychological and social support. The services are provided free of charge to oncological patients who meet the following conditions: a) serious health condition, b) inability to move, c) financial & family situation.

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THE Nikos Touliatos, one of the most internationally renowned Greek musicians of JAZZ, contemporary and improvised music with the percussion group “SOUND ACTING”, they kept the interest of the people and the pulse of the event high, giving the necessary rhythm to the participants and creating a unique festive atmosphere. Accordingly, the physical education teacher Mantis Persakis undertook the warm-up of all athletes in cycling and running.

All participants received her high quality cosmetic products AEGEAN BEAUTY SA, cooled off with its products Coca-Cola Three Epsilon and hydrated with the natural mineral water GOD.

Official Supporter of the organization was GSK.

Partners of the organization were the NJV Athens Plaza, ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS, GENESIS PHARMA, Pharmaserve–Lily, BIANEX S.A., Pfizer and AEGEAN BEAUTY S.A.

The non-profit corporation Creative Thinking Development is one of the 14 partners from 6 countries implementing the OACCUs program, within the EU4Health program. OACCUs stands for OAC (outdoor against cancer) Sees (C) Us and OAC (outdoor against cancer) Connects Us. OACCUs are a vital part of the new EU4Health network and pursues the idea of ​​training young cancer survivors, their families and friends as ambassadors and coaches in each participating country and developing and sustaining a network of young cancer survivors with the motto of the project of: “CHOOSE the HEALTHY way!”

Helpers of the organization were the Coca-Cola Three Epsilon and AMKE AEGEAS.

Official Water of the organization was the natural mineral water GOD.

The smooth running of the event and the safety of the beautiful route in the center of Athens were greatly contributed by the Region of Attica, The Municipality of Athens, the Greek police, the Attica Traffic Directorate, the National Center for Immediate Assistance (E.K.A.B.) and Athens Urban Transport Organization (O.A.S.A.). The implementation of the action was helped by volunteers of association K.E.F.I., of O.P.A.N.D.A. and her Rescue Team DELTA giving “present” potential.

The organization was included in the Greek actions of the program #BeactiveHellas 2023 her European Commission which is under its auspices General Secretariat of Sports.

The sports production of the organization was undertaken by ActiveMedia Group.

The hashtag of the organization #runbikecare it trended on social media helping to raise awareness around the world.