Fundraising event exceeds goal for cancer research in Belgium

More than 2,000 participants took part in the fifth Relais pour la Vie de Marche-en-Famenne to raise money for the Fondation contre le cancer.

The event took place over 24 hours at the WEX site in Belgium. Participants included 57 teams and 112 individuals who walked and mobilized to support cancer research and wellness projects. The organizers exceeded their initial fundraising goal of 100,000 euros by collecting a total of 146,701 euros.

The local government contributed an additional 2,000 euros to the total amount. These funds will support scientific research, tobacco and UV prevention, and wellness activities for patients and their relatives. Rachel Ridole, the coordinator for the provinces of Luxembourg and Namur, stated that scientific research is the primary way to defeat the disease. The event featured musical performances by Marka, who served as a patron for the edition, along with local musicians, dancers, and magicians.

Participants joined the walk for various reasons, including honoring lost friends or personal experiences with the disease. One team, Sophisabelle. Les Warriors, was formed by two women who both survived breast cancer. One member of that team also uses the funds to create handmade cushions for hospitals to help patients manage pain.