How it all started

Race for the Cure® is the world’s largest walking and running event in the fight against breast cancer. After losing her sister to breast cancer, Nancy G. Brinker founded the American breast cancer organisation Susan G. Komen. In 1983, the first Race for the Cure in Dallas welcomed 800 participants. An unexpected success! Nowadays, 1 million people gather in over 140 cities around the world to celebrate life and honour those who lost their lives due to breast cancer. 

Front of solidarity against breast cancer

Race for the Cure® unites people affected by breast cancer, and their family, friends and sympathisers. During the Race for the Cure®, survivors celebrate life, while participants show their support to their loved ones. Together they commemorate those who are no longer with us because of the most common type of cancer in women.

One impressive image summarises the Race for the Cure: survivors wearing a pink T-shirt surrounded by their supportive entourage in a white T-shirt. 

Race for the Cure: common flagship of Think Pink Europe

Women affected by breast cancer are at the heart of the Race for the Cure®. It is a strong sign of support. To enhance this message, we will be hosting the European Races for the Cure on the eve of the international breast cancer month October.

Race for the Cure today

In 2020 we planned to organise 30 Races for the Cure with 300,000 participants in 22 countries in Europe. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, major sporting events were being postponed or cancelled. Just at a time when breast cancer patients and survivors are vulnerable and need our support the most. The corona crisis has inspired us to join forces and take Race for the Cure® to the next level. In 2020 we successfully launched our digital Race for the Cure platform, together with 36 charities in 32 countries in Europe, to secure the continuation of Race for the Cure. 

In 2022 Race For The Cure became a physical event again in most countries.  With a combination of our digital platform and actual races all over Europe Race For The Cure continues! And by 2023 we were back on track, with over 200.000 participants in Europe, raising no less than 1.000.000 EUR!

October is our focus period, when most races take place.  Because of historical and practical reasons, there's races from May until December in different countries all over Europe.  Be part of the biggest sporting event for women’s health in Europe: Team up with friends, family and colleagues and register to run or walk at one of our events or in your own neighborhood, village or city. 

Keep moving, share the fun and support women’s health care!