The Overcoming Race marked the month of October at the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, and Minas Gerais. Hundreds of women ran for self-care and the fight against breast cancer - a race intentionally scheduled during the month meant to bring awareness to the disease. But in addition to participating as a means of raising awareness, women from Espírito Santo also donated food and their registration fee.

In Espírito Santo, the charity which benefitted was the Women's Association for Education and Fight Against Cancer (Afecc). The items were delivered last week at the association's headquarters.

In order to participate, each registrant was required to donate some needed items 

“There are many people who suffer from cancer treatment, and there are many demands,” says Professor Jeanete Souza, director of the Ministry of Women for the north-central Espírito Santo. “Being able to help the survivors and their families was something the church could do to help people to as they go through this difficult chapter in their lives.” 

Needed items included hygiene and cleaning supplies, basic baskets, diapers, and hair wipes. Currently, Afecc provides for about 800-1,000 patients per day.

“These donations will be delivered through kits that we make,” explains Ana Paula Corrêa, Afecc coordinator. “Or when the patient arrives with a certain need, social workers come to us and we can supply them with the necessary donated personal hygiene items. The diapers are destined for a collective pharmacy and donated to all patients who need them.”

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site