Breast cancer survivors race for a cure in Costa Rica

In bright pink, breast cancer survivors jogged with their families and friends around Sabana Park to raise awareness for the disease and money to fight it.

The fourth annual ¡Corre por mí! (“Run for me!”) took place Sunday morning in west San José. Participants run one and four kilometers or take part in a more leisurely paced walk around the park. A wheelchair course also was available. Registration fees went toward funding equipment at the rehabilitation center for breast cancer patients at the Hospital Calderón Guardia. The Cancer Patient Foundation is sponsoring the race.

According to organizers, more than 5,000 people signed up for the event.  

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting Costa Rican woman. The Costa Rican Social Security System reported that there were1,206 cases of breast cancer and 262 deaths from the disease in 2011.

Early detection is key for surviving the cancer. Part of the purpose of ¡Corre por mí! is to encourage women to receive mammograms. Some 45 percent of breast cancers in the country are caught at an intermediate or late stage, which can greatly reduce the chance of survival.