Yesterday morning, the inaugural Pinkathon was held – the country’s first running event to spread breast cancer awareness and raise funds to help patients. Led by Milind Soman and Reema Sanghavi‘s Maximus Events, the marathon saw approximately 2000 participants come out and lend their support. Among the participants were 50 female cops from the Mumbai police, 650 members from Brahma Kumari NGOs, school children and even several celebrities such as Anusha Dandekar, Tara Sharma Saluja and Lisa Haydon.
Celebrity guest Karisma Kapoor flagged off the charity event, proceeds of which will go to Women’s Cancer Initiative led by Deveika Bhojwani. We’ve got loads of pix from the event, so check them out – and be sure to catch the message from Bipasha Basu, who supports the initiative but couldn’t be there at the event.
Milind Soman says: “We are immensely proud to have garnered such widespread support from different quarters and thank each participant for play an important part. We trust that this will help women realize that they need to be constantly aware and spread the word around. I would also like to personally thank all my friends from the film fraternity including Karisma Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Soha Ali Khan, Dia Mirza, Shahana Goswami, Kunal Kapoor and Rahul Bose; without whom the event wouldn’t have tasted such success.”
Bipasha Basu says: “Cancer is a word, not a sentence. Don’t let this disease define who you are as a person. There are countless women who brave breast cancer everyday. The strength they hold is an inspiration to all. Initiatives like the Pinkathon urge everyone to become more aware about the reality which most people like to shy away from. But there is no shying away from the truth. So all the women out there… Ready, Set, Go Pink!!!”
Tara Sharma completed the 5k run:
Lisa Haydon completed the 10k run:
Anusha Dandekar completed the 10k run and placed 13th:
Even Milind Soman’s mom came out to support, and ran as well!
Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Prithviraj Chavan says:
More pix here:
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Pix: Yogen Shah for MissMalini.