Runners Under the Pink Ribbon

October is a month most often associated with pumpkin spice lattes, fall-scented candles, and Halloween. However, October is also the most important month for women suffering from the most commonly diagnosed cancer type – breast cancer. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month during which activists deck themselves in pink to show support for survivors and spread awareness of how exactly to prevent the disease.

To contribute to the international fight against breast cancer, last Saturday, Oct. 22, the Better Community Club (BCC), alongside three other AUBG clubs (AUBG Dance Crew, Associates Consulting Club, and AUBG Olympics), came together to work in support of the “One in 8” (ЕДНА ОТ 8) NGO - an organization which promotes breast cancer awareness and supports survivors. 

This year marks the fourth volume of the event which was split into a challenging marathon race through the vibrant Bachinovo eco-trail, and a beautifully made bright-pink charity bazaar located next to the Bachinovo park lake.  The marathon, organized by AUBG Olympics, started at Diva restaurant with nearly thirty runners ready to be attired in pink and take part in the race. According to the winner, Georgi Nichev, events which promote social change and spread awareness like this one are key to making a positive change in society. He believes that “collaboration is the most important thing we can pursue as a community.”  It is only through this pursuit that we can exchange experiences and improve community life.

The charity bazaar was neatly spread out at the marathon finish line and stood out with symbolic pink balloons. The bazaar itself offered origami, delicious homemade pastries, and cards all courtesy of the Better Community Club. Avon, one of the biggest cosmetics companies in the world, also had a stand to promote their decades-long campaign spreading awareness about breast cancer. 

According to Ivet Arabova, head of BCC Marketing, her club’s goal is “to promote social awareness, to help educate young women and men to be supportive of each other and help the community and other people in need”. This year’s edition of “Run for Hope” was the first time in the event’s history in which both the marathon run and the charity bazaar were held at a location away from the AUBG Campus. The reason behind this change is the strive to reach out to the people of Blagoevgrad and help contribute to the improvement of the local community, she adds. She says that the change proved a resounding success, all thanks to the devotion and joint effort of each member of the four clubs. 

“Our biggest problem was time”, says President of BCC Petar Nedev. Organizers had just a little over a week to make the event come to life, which included dealing with loads of documents. Despite all the paperwork-induced struggles he and the other organizers went through, Petar says he is grateful to the local municipality for permitting the event. He is also thankful for the cooperation of each member of each club. “We did not work as different clubs, but more as one whole”, he adds.

It was this combination of a shared commitment to a good cause and appropriate time management that made the event such a success. Petar Nedev, president of BCC, remarks that everyone who participated in the event's organization and execution learned valuable lessons and gained crucial experience.