‘Corri la Vita’s’ Run for Life in the Fight against Breast Cancer

Over 30,000 people are expected for the 15th edition of Corri La Vita—a renowned run for breast cancer research and prevention— on Sunday, September 30.  The starting line is in piazza Vittorio Veneto (Cascine Park); the race will begin for runners and walks at 9:30 am.  Up to an hour beforehand, it will be possible to sign up to receive a t-shirt to wear at the event.

As always, the route of the race will offer both breathtaking views of Florence and glimpses into some of its lesser known corners. The first course is 11 km (6.8mi), leaving from the serene green space of the Cascine, already a popular destination among the city’s exercise aficionados. From there, it follows the bank of the Arno, passing through Piazzale Michelangelo and under the shadow of the Duomo before looping back to the starting point. A second 6 km (3.7mi) walking track traverses the Boboli Gardens before returning to Le Cascine by way of Ponte Santa Trinità, providing a less competitive lens to Florence’s wonders.

This year, a surprising symbol was chosen for the initiative: the city tram—to be dressed up virtually in a Corri La Vita t-shirt for this day of festivity and solidarity. In past years the committee has chosen historical Florentine imagery, from David to the Duomo, as the graphical token. In the 2018 edition, things take a notably modern turn–one that is wholeheartedly welcomed by the Corri La Vita Association. The tram, an unorthodox mascot that represents a green, CO2-free future of the city, shows that “life also runs along the [tram] tracks,” in the words of Bona Frescobaldi, president of the Corri La Vita Association.

Corri La Vita is one of the most significant fundraisers in Italy, and a world player in raising money to fight cancer. It has raised over 5 million euros since 2003 in a race that has united over 300,000 participants and allowed for quality care for 400,000 women. In the last 5 years, the money raised by the organization has benefited around 200,000 patients, allowing 3,000 health professionals the tools needed to fight cancer more effectively. It has also received support from celebrities around the world, including Hugh Grant, Sting, and Andrea Bocelli.

The Ultra Violet (Pantone’s chosen color of 2018) shirts add an especially stylish touch to this year’s event, with Salvatore Ferragamo’s signature embellishing both sides of the tee. Thanks to an agreement with BRT International Postal Couriers, a minimum donation of €10 is all that’s needed to get one. The shirt becomes not only a symbol of solidarity during the day, but a ticket to the best Florence has to offer, with free entrance into museums and shows across the city, including the Marina Abramovich retrospective at Palazzo Strozzi.

In an update to the festival, the top three winners of the men’s and women’s races won’t be the only ones honored on the podium; the three most numerous groups–out of all the gyms, universities, sports teams, and companies participating–will be awarded as well. Another change is the addition of a warm-up space in the garden behind Viale Lincoln, where trainers and fitness instructors from Tropos Gym will lead free workouts for the participants in the race. Street food is new this year too, with stands and carts set up in Piazza Vittorio Veneto for the day, donating 20% of their proceeds to Corri La Vita.

The funds gathered for this year’s event will assist the entire Florence metropolitan area in the fight against breast cancer. These proceeds go to the three main organizations of the LILT (Italian League for Fighting Cancer, Florence): Ce.Ri.On. (The Villa delle Rose Oncological Rehabilitation Center), the FILE (Italian Foundation of Lenitherapy Onlus) and the SenoNetwork Italia Onlus.

Ce.Ri.On. has, since 2005, taken on 9,000 more patients and done around 120,000 more rehabilitation services. In the last several years, machinery donated to donated to the Diagnostic Center of Careggi has drastically increased mammograms and other diagnostic practices. The future appears to be brighter still for the center. Just this year, the Corri La Vita Onlus and Salvatore Ferragamo spa donated two more innovative machines for early diagnoses of breast cancer, worth €400,000.

The profound positive impacts on breast cancer patients and their families these initiatives have all ripple out from an annual day of community and friendly competition: a colorful and spirited celebration of the beauty of life.  (tyler bunton)