Berlin Runners
Berlin Runners Against Breast Cancer
Fundraising for Against Breast Cancer
Story
This funraising is a joint force of 7 likeminded friends, looking to run for a hugely important cause, a fight against breast cancer in the Berlin Marathon, all with our own story and motiviation looking for your help in reaching our goal of 6000GBP.
Join the fight against breast cancer and make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease. Your support through participating in our charity run will help fund critical research, support services, and awarness programs aimed at finding a cure for breast cancer. Let's come together and show our strength in numbers as we run for hope, run for a cure, and run for a brighter future for all those affected.
Some breast cancer statistics:
- 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, except for skin cancers. It is estimated that in 2023, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
- Every 14 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Breast cancer typically is diagnosed in middle-aged and older women. The median age of diagnosis is 63. Although it is not common, some women diagnosed with the disease are under age 45.
- Even though it's rare- (1 in 800), men also can be diagnosed breast cancer.
Introducing the runners and our story:
Jen Auerbach:
On September 24, 2023, I will be embarking on a meaningful journey as I participate in the Berlin Marathon. This endeavor is not just about me and the miles I'll cover—it holds a much deeper purpose. I am running for all those who are unable to run themselves.
On September 24, 2023, I will be embarking on a meaningful journey as I participate in the Berlin Marathon. This endeavor is not just about me and the miles I'll cover—it holds a much deeper purpose. I am running for all those who are unable to run themselves.
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During my college years, I fundraised for and completed the 60-mile Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in San Diego. It was a transformative experience where my friends and I joined forces for three days, trekking all over the city, camping under the stars, and listening to the inspiring stories of countless breast cancer survivors. I realized the power of coming together, raising awareness, and supporting those affected by this terrible disease. Breast cancer sadly took my great-grandmother’s life, in addition to affecting several of my aunts, cousins, friends and coworkers, and I have witnessed their struggles firsthand. Unfortunately, cancer's impact extends far beyond breast cancer, touching the lives of numerous loved ones battling various forms of this devastating illness.
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My motivation to run goes beyond the physical act itself. It stems from the incredible stories I encountered during my previous marathon experiences, like when I ran the LA Marathon for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). I met individuals who were overcoming personal battles and others who ran in honor of those they lost. The marathon expo, start camp, race itself, and post-celebrations provided opportunities to connect with people running for AFSP, social justice causes and to conquer many forms of cancer. The unwavering support of their families and friends was an inspiring testament to the strength of the human spirit.
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Throughout these experiences, I sensed an undeniable yearning within our collective community to come together and achieve something extraordinary. Running serves as a powerful metaphor—a symbol of endurance, progress, and the ability to leave behind doubts. Each step represents the courage to push and pace through challenging terrain, weather the elements, and rise above obstacles. Running cultivates strength and resilience, both in the individual runner and within the supportive community that surrounds them.
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The Berlin Marathon marks my third marathon, following ones in Los Angeles 2020 & New York City 2022. However, I believe I am only scratching the surface of what I can accomplish. During this marathon, I will run with profound love and remembrance for my great-grandma, Angelina, my grandma, Millie, and my cousin, Cary, all of whom bravely fought their own battles with cancer. As long as there are sneakers, anti-blister creams, and compassionate individuals to share the power of collective goals, I will continue to run, unyielding and determined.
Mediha Kaljanac:
As a woman who has epilepsy, everyday is a constant fight to get through the day. You are fighting to do your best, be your best, and always fighting to be stronger everyday. I want to be the motivation for women all over the world and send the message that you can push through everything. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. Life is a constant battle and you will make it through everything. I want to raise money against breast cancer to improve research and help women fight their battles. I want to raise money that will improve therapies so women can continue fighting each and every day. I want to raise money so women can win their biggest battle.
Tarik Kaljanac:
This race is much more than the race itself...
A few years ago, my life suddenly changed when I found out that my mother was suffering from cancer. It was in that moment when I saw what this evil disease means. Fortunately, after several years of fighting, she managed to win her battle to become cancer free!
Everyday, I strive to leave a positive impression to the people I come into contact with and to help in anyway possible. I want to help raise money for research and a cure for breast cancer. I'm very happy that I can be part of an impactful organization and contribute in a meaningful way.
I dedicate this Berlin marathon to my mother and all cancer patients around the world. Together, we will break a personal record! This will be a joint victory!
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Ova trka za mene je mnogo vise od same trke…
Prije nekoliko godina moj se zivot iznenada promjenio kada sam saznao da moja majka boluje od karcinoma. Tada sam licno vidio sam sta znaci ta opaka bolest. Na svu srecu nakon nekoliko godina uspjela je izboriti borbu sa karcinomom!
Citav zivot se trudim da ostavim pozitivan utisak na ljude s kojima dodjem u dodir i da pomognem onima kojima mogu.
Tako da ovom prilikom zelim pomoci na taj sto cemo skupiti novac za istrazivanja i lijek protiv karcinoma dojke, i jako sam sretan sto mogu biti dio ovakve organizacije i sto mogu makar malo pomoci.
Ovaj Berlin maraton posvecujem svojoj majci i svim oboljelim od karcinoma, zajedno obaramo personalni rekord! Ovo ce biti zajednicka pobjeda!
Vitaly Demyanik:
I'll be running and raising money to fight cancer in honor of my grandma Mila, who was diagnosed and survived breast cancer 10 years before her passing a few years ago in Kyiv. Although she was persecuted by the Soviets for her religious and political beliefs, she raised 5 children, worked as a nurse, and remained sharp minded her entire life. I'll be running in her memory.
Miguel Sanchez:
My grandfather passed away from cancer when I was three years old. I was in the next room, in fact, when he passed away at a pretty young age from a very treatable form of cancer. The main reason was that it wasn’t caught in time and, after discovery, the treatment he received in Mexico wasn’t the right one for him. So cancer has been a part of my life since I was very young. By running this marathon and raising both awareness and money to fund research into early detection and treatment, I hope to honor my Grandfather and everyone else that’s fighting to spend more time with their families and loved ones. To that end, I humbly ask for your support. Thank you!
Igor Kostic:
One of my personal goals is to organize and coordinate one charity event per year, where I put effort and time in securing funds and resources in a charity that is important to me personally. This year we've partnered up with Against Breast Cancer, a UK based charity organization fighting for a future free breast cancer. Personally, I am passionate about this as I look around and have seen close family and friends being impacted by cancer. It is a time of despair and hope at the same time in that medicine and knowlegde is far enough where people get a chance at survival. That advancement in medicine is only possible if time and resoruces are dedicated to it. And so personally, I will dedicate the Berlin Marathon, the Chicago marathon and my retirement fight in going after this with full passion.
Mladen Kostic:
Ne treba mnogo rijeci trošiti na to koliko je ova opaka bolest zla nanijela pogotovo ženskoj populaciji. Gotovo da i ne postoji niko ko nije imao nekoga ko se morao liječiti, ili u boljem slučaju, kontrolirati u vezi ove bolesti. Za mene je ovaj maraton veliki izazov ali ni blizu toliki koliki moraju proći ljudi pogodjeni ovom bolešću. Želio bih da sa ovim timom barem malo doprinesem u borbi protiv ove bolesti.
(Needless to say how much evil this disease has caused especially to the female population. Everyone in some way shape or form has been impacted, treated or checked for cancer. For me, this marathon is a big challenge, but not nearly as big as the ones people affected by this disease have to go through. I would like to contribute with this team in the fight against breast cancer.)
How is the Against Breast Cancer organization involved?
Their story starts from humble beginnings and is of the personal crusade of Dr Anthony Leathem and his wife Patricia in their joint quest for a future free of breast cancer.
Today, Against Breast Cancer funds pioneering research into new treatments, tools for earlier diagnosis and advice to reduce the risk of recurrence and secondary spread. Working with expert scientists they want to increase the survival rates of all breast cancer patients and ultimately, discover a vaccine against breast cancer.
More info and stories of survivers to be found here: https://www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk/
How can I contribute / donate?
Right here on JustGiving. It is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Alternatively:
Venmo: @IgorKostic
You can donate offline as well or through A direct bank transfer. Just send one of the 7 runners a note and we will provide the details.
Companies:
If you represent an organization that would like to sponsor, please reach out. There are t-shirt placements as well as other sponsorship opportunities.
Way's to follow the journey to the run:
We will be posting updates here on the page on a regular basis. If you have social media, there will be updates on training and progress preparing events and more through the bottom pages:
Instagram:
Mediha: https://www.instagram.com/mediha_livadic
Jen: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferauerbach
Miguel: https://www.instagram.com/migscam
Mladen: https://www.instagram.com/mladen51
Igor: https://www.instagram.com/igor.kostic.11
Tarik: https://www.instagram.com/tarikkaljanac
Vitaliy: https://www.instagram.com/vitaliyd
Every contribution, no matter the amount, will provide crucial support for medical expenses, transportation needs, specialized treatments, counseling services, and other essential requirements. Thank you for considering joining us on this journey. Donate Today in our journey to 6000 GBP.. and together, we can lace-up to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer!
#RunForYourLife #Roadto6000 #RunAgainstBreastCancer #BerlinMarathon2023 #Runforjoy #Berlinlegend