EIF Revlon Run/Walk

Untitled from Joe Peyronnin on Vimeo.

             266,870 will be diagnosed, and 39,510 will not survive the fight. 1 in every 8 women will be told they have breast cancer this year, and will be fighting the battle of their lives.  If it’s not you, it’s a parent, a sibling, an aunt, a friend. Every one is affected by not only breast cancer, but all forms of women’s cancer, which is exactly what the EIF Revlon Run/Walk has been fighting against for almost 20 years. What started as a miniscule walk grew into something bigger than ever expected, raising over $65 million that has been donated to cancer research since it’s beginning. 

            The feeling in the air the day of the run/walk was pure magic. The fact that you took the 6am train to get there is irrelevant, and the less than perfect foggy weather is trivial compared to the feeling that overwhelms you as soon as you step into Times Square. Just by looking to your left and right you see people from thousands of different walks of life, all with their own story and own reason for coming out to support. No body knows each other, but everyone who registers is automatically connected, joined by the pure fact that they want this disease destroyed. You don’t know that mans story standing next to you, or what that child wearing a “survivor” sign has been through, but it doesn’t matter. At that hour on Broadway Street every person is equal, and that’s what makes this run/walk so successful.

            The opening ceremonies started at 8:15, with different stories being told both of triumph and tragedy. The national anthem was sung, tears were shed, and hearts were aching already from the deeply personal stories from the speakers. At around 8:45, celebrity hosts Olivia Wilde and Emma Stone came out to give their introduction, causing mayhem in the crowd, and then were followed by the one and only Jimmy Fallon.  After Fallon’s cooky speech, “I’m Walking On Sunshine” blared from the speakers and the confetti cannons explode with red and white paper signaling the beginning of the walk. The entire route was 2 miles, starting in Times Square and ending in Central park where the participants were greeted with music, free goodies from sponsors, and much celebration. Revlon gave out free samples of lipstick, Smart Water was handing out free water bottles, and a few stands had free food. What started with a somber beginning at the opening ceremonies turned into a celebration of life and hope by the time everyone crossed the finished line.

           This event just gets bigger and bigger every year, and has become a major source of funding for cancer research. Watching this video doesn’t give the event justice, and I strongly recommend making the trip next year to witness it first hand.