Ekiden of Life" Celebrates 30th Anniversary and Raises Over 5 Million Yen! Certificate of Appreciation presented to Mie University Hospital

Ekiden of Life," a 13-day relay race through Mie Prefecture in support of cancer research

Ekiden of Life" is a relay race that cancer patients and medical professionals run in all cities and towns in Mie Prefecture for 13 days while raising funds to support cancer research. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the event, and the awarding ceremony was held at the Mie University Hospital on March 9.

Approximately 5.8 million yen was donated to fund research on five types of cancer.

At the awarding ceremony, participants in the relay race handed a donation box to Hospital Director Tomoaki Ikeda. According to Mie University Hospital, the donations collected amounted to approximately 5.8 million yen and will be used to fund research for five cancers, including breast and rectal cancer.

Passionate wishes from the participants and the director of Ikeda Hospital

Mayu Uemura, chairperson of the Executive Committee of the "Ekiden of Life" Association, said, "I hear that it is difficult to get research funds from young researchers, so I want to support them somehow. I would like to continue to fight together with cancer patients," she said emphatically.

The director of Ikeda Hospital said, "We are living in an era in which cancer patients can live longer. I am grateful for the funds because I believe that the development of new treatment methods will help them," he said.

Facing Cancer and Connecting to the Future: "Ekiden of Life

Now in its 30th year, the "Ekiden for Life" is more than just a fundraising event; it has become a valuable presence that strengthens the bonds between the participants and the community and gives them the courage to face cancer.

Donations raised will be used to develop new treatments and revitalize research.