The Breast Cancer Solidarity Run, organised by Europa Donna Luxembourg, saw 2,400 participants come together on Saturday morning in a show of support for women and families impacted by breast cancer.
As a local branch of a European coalition against breast cancer, Europa Donna provides essential assistance, whether it’s through offering treatments or creating a supportive community for those facing the disease.
On this particular Saturday, the focus was on unity and perseverance. Dany Frank, a member of Europa Donna, described the atmosphere as "indescribable": "It is remarkable, this wave of solidarity we can feel here, from women who have survived their battle with breast cancer, women who may still be battling cancer, and their friends and families who have come to support each other."
The 5k run wasn’t about competition but about making it to the finish line together. "No one is competing, and no one gets left behind," Frank said, in alignment with Europa Donna's philosophy. Europa Donna focuses on two main objectives, as Mariette Fischbach, President of Europa Donna Luxembourg, explained: "First, to support people going through their battle with cancer, even after their illness. This includes supportive care, offering treatments to improve well-being, and helping them understand the side effects. We also have support groups for emotional support."
Every year, 500 new cases of breast cancer are detected in Luxembourg, making prevention and early detection crucial. Europa Donna urges young women to perform self-checks monthly and encourages women aged 45 to 74 to participate in Luxembourg's Mammography Programme, the national breast cancer screening initiative. This programme offers mammograms free of charge every two years, aiming to improve the chances of early detection.
As Fanny Lorin, coordinator of the cancer screening programme at the Health Ministry, emphasised, "If the screening is done early enough, breast cancer can be cured in 9 out of 10 cases. It’s a real shame when someone doesn’t use this programme and the cancer is discovered too late."
With a 90% chance of curing breast cancer when detected early, the symbolic meaning of Saturday’s 5k runs deeply. Much like cancer treatment, which often lasts at least six months, the goal of the run was to persevere, support each other, and make it to the finish line – to health and recovery together.
