There are 12 stories full of vitality. Experiences charged with courage and commitment. They are the faces that will accompany us in 2022 and that star in the solidarity calendar of the Canarian Foundation Carrera por la Vida. The solidarity initiative chaired by Brigitte Gypen has already put up for sale, at the price of six euros, its charity almanac under the title Examples of life and the proceeds of which will be allocated entirely to projects and actions aimed at improving the quality of life of people with breast cancer and to support research projects.
In the 2022 edition, anonymous and well-known people have been chosen, but who share a common denominator: their effort, perseverance and commitment to face this pathology. Each photo reflects a unique moment, an instant that portrays the perfect symbiosis between art and hope.
Protagonists like Margaret, a volunteer devoted body and soul to others; Lydia, photographed by her daughter Erica, who embodies bravery and wholeness; Yaiza, Edey and Jonay, determined to destroy physical and mental barriers; Hermi and Silvia, two cases of overcoming and two examples of breast cancer survival; José Miguel Sánchez, Laura and Puchi Méndez, committed to the cause, and Alex Mercurio and Omayra Cazorla, conscience removers and disseminators on social networks.
The struggle for life in unfavorable geographical or social environments, the overcoming of barriers and limits of capacity, the effort for visibility and against prejudice are summarized in the faces and expressions of women and men that are mirrors in the that we can and should look at ourselves. In the words of Brigitte Gypen, “the calendar brings us closer to people who are or do something that distinguishes them, that differentiates them, people who unknowingly change and make life better”.
For its preparation, the foundation has had the selfless collaboration of prominent photography professionals such as Rey Anicet, Miguel Barreto, Mikael Helsing, Erica Goher, Emilio Barrionuevo, Edgar Magdalena, Sara Moana, Mario Dobrescu and Fiorella Licandro. Each of the images includes a biographical text written by Ángel Pérez, director of the project. Cristina Cubas signs the design and Cliodna O’Flynn is in charge of the translation of the texts.
The almanac, which has the support of the DIARIO DE AVISOS FOUNDATION and Tenerife Perla, is completed by images of the different Carrera por la Vida marches: from the first appointment, convened together with the Adán Martín de Santa Cruz Auditorium, in 2006, to the last virtual edition held last September through the Race for the cure initiative, the most far-reaching digital race in Europe to fight breast cancer and which was a great success, despite being held at a time when the one that the great focus of solidarity was directed those last days of September to the volcanic eruption of La Palma. Despite this, 23,000 euros were raised in donations, a record in the history of the charity event.
Now, hopes are pinned on next year’s edition. The organizers dream of returning to the streets of Playa de Las Américas, with the permission of the pandemic, and recovering a walk that exceeded 5,000 participants in 2019. “I hope this year was the last digital race and in the next we can embrace each other again, walk, sing and dance in the street; if that happens, I am sure that we will beat all previous records, “said the president of the Canarian Foundation Carrera por la Vida.
The Life Examples calendar is already, as of today, the most popular since this initiative arose, with more than 500 units sold, as confirmed to this newspaper by Brigitte Gypen. Much of the success lies in the online store service (which includes home delivery) of the Arona Pharmacy, which altruistically collaborates with the foundation.
The Life Examples calendar can be purchased on the website www.carreraporlavida.org, in the Sala Rosa in Adeje (Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) or by calling 646 961 895.
