Marbella’s Annual ‘Marea Rosa’ Solidarity Walk Surpasses Expectations
The annual ‘Marea Rosa’ (Pink Wave) solidarity walk, a tradition that grows each year, was held in Marbella yesterday. The event saw over 3,000 locals flooding the town’s streets in pink, the symbolic color of the fight against breast cancer. The walk has become a staple event in the Costa del Sol, drawing more participants each year.
Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer
The primary goal of the event is to raise awareness for breast cancer and generate funds for the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC). The initiative is a show of support for those battling breast cancer, a disease where early diagnosis is crucial. The event also highlights the invaluable work done by the AECC in providing medical, psychological, and counseling support to patients and their families.
Community Participation and Solidarity
From early morning, volunteers gathered at Avenida del Mar to register participants for the walk. For a fee of 12 euros, participants received a pink T-shirt and embarked on a four-kilometer walk along the Paseo Marítimo to the Palacio de Congresos Adolfo Suárez. The event was filled with healthy activities and warm-ups, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among the participants.
Impressive Display of Unity
At noon, the ‘pink wave’ began its journey through the streets of Marbella, creating a visually stunning display of unity. The walk concluded with a party at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos Adolfo Suárez in Marbella, featuring a healthy meal and a strong sense of camaraderie.
Funds Raised for AECC
Santiago Gómez-Villares, President of the Marbella branch of the AECC, confirmed that all proceeds from the event will be used to support the services provided by the organization to help patients and their families.
The Origin of the Pink Ribbon
The World Health Organization declared October 19 as Breast Cancer Day in the 1990s, with the aim of raising awareness about the disease and the importance of early diagnosis. The Susan G. Komen Foundation was the first to distribute pink ribbons at a race in New York in 1991, marking the beginning of the color’s association with the fight against breast cancer.
Increasing Incidence of Breast Cancer
According to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, approximately 36,395 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2024. This type of cancer is the most common among women in Spain. The AECC attributes the increase in incidence to changes in reproductive habits, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles, among other factors. Despite the rise in cases, mortality rates have significantly decreased due to effective treatments and early detection.
