It is much more than an almanac. A tribute to life divided into 12 cases that overflow, in equal parts, effort and enthusiasm. That is why they are examples, mirrors in which to look at ourselves when we have a bad day or when we drown in a glass of water. They are the 12 protagonists of the 2023 Calendar of Carrera por la Vida, the foundation chaired by Brigitte Gypen and which has been developing actions for 17 years to raise awareness about the early detection of breast cancer, meeting the needs of affected people and supporting research projects and treatment.
In this edition, the calendar is dedicated to the world of sport and includes a dozen experiences that project strength and hope, with the particularity that all the stories are culled from different sports disciplines. None is repeated. From soccer to Canarian wrestling, from tennis to golf.
Carla Suárez, who in 2020 was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, is one of the most iconic images on the calendar. The tennis player from Gran Canaria, who has taken advantage of her media projection to demand more budgets for research, has shown that the value of an athlete goes far beyond the courts.
Natalia and Noelia, who have lived closely with breast cancer and its reality, also symbolize the social responsibility of sport. The dedication, discipline and perseverance of the two UDG Tenerife players led them to be named sponsors of the Foundation in 2022 and now their image is associated with a message: always together. Rafael is another example. This motorcycle and car racer has decided to compete in the toughest rally event on the planet, the Dakar, painting his vehicle pink in support of women with breast cancer and in order to raise awareness about the effects of this disease on men . He is already the moral winner of the demanding automobile test.
Cristina is another of the model athletes. She dedicated to functional training after practicing from paddle tennis to spinning, breast cancer intervened in her life, but she gritted her teeth and was filled with energy with the love of her family. Now she dreams again. Something similar has happened to Jessica, neither her diagnosis nor her treatment prevented her from going to daily basketball training, her great passion.
Mercia, 85, represents another of those outstanding cases. She goes swimming three times a week without the cold, the rain or the pain affecting her desire to train. Like Estrella, whose cancer caused her inability to work as a nursing assistant and who 30 years ago went from being a spectator in the fields to stepping on the sand and fighting, paving the way for many women who dedicate themselves to this sport. nowadays.
Sandra found in golf the benefit of physical exercise in the open air, but also a person who gave her calm and encouragement. Norma had gone through the same thing 22 years ago and won the pulse of the disease. Leo is another of the proper names in the charity almanac. He faced pathology with courage. His legs filled with confidence to climb slopes and cross ravines. He now counts the days to participate in the Race for Life on December 11.
The calendar is completed by Cristo, who broke stereotypes since his feet stepped on the mat at the age of 14 to practice rhythmic gymnastics, and Lionel, who suffered a serious motorcycle accident in 1997. He chose not to give up. He competed in the Paralympic Games in Rio, has been a world champion and now dreams of the next Olympic event in Paris, in 2024.
six euros
The Sports for Life Calendar has had the selfless collaboration of photographers, while the texts are the work of Ángel Pérez (Igualmente Produce), who has directed the project. The design has been carried out by Cristina Cubas and the translation by Cliodna O’Flynn. It can be purchased at the price of 6 euros at www.carreraporlavida.org and on the day of the solidarity walk, which will start on December 11 in the morning from the Siam Mall, in Adeje. The proceeds will go entirely to the projects and actions financed by the foundation in favor of people with breast cancer.
