On October 25, 2026, I’m running my first half marathon in Valencia (21.1 km) for a cause that matters to me.
We often postpone preventive care until something gives us a reason not to.
I’ve decided to turn my personal running challenge into a fundraiser supporting “One in Eight” (Една от 8), a Bulgarian foundation supporting women affected by breast cancer and their loved ones.
I’m supporting two of the foundation’s projects through this fundraiser.
The first provides free psychological support for women with breast cancer and their loved ones - including individual counselling, support groups and therapeutic workshops, with remote access for people outside Sofia.
The second provides free services and practical support to cancer patients across Bulgaria. Through the foundation’s mobile “Soul Sisters” program, psychologists and breast-cancer survivors travel to cities across the country to meet patients, provide psychological, emotional, practical and informational support, and distribute practical aids.
I chose to support both because I believe that cancer care cannot be reduced to the physical side of the disease. A diagnosis affects a person emotionally and psychologically, but it also affects their family, everyday life and ability to access support -especially when they live outside the largest cities.
Sometimes you need professional psychological support. Sometimes you need practical help. Sometimes you simply need someone to tell you: “You are not alone.” I would like to help make all three a little more accessible :)
I’ve run 10 km several times before, but 21.1 km will be a new challenge for me, which I am currently preparing for.
My fundraising goal is €500.
To be completely transparent, I have no idea whether €500 is actually a realistic goal since I have a relatively small personal network.
But €500 felt like a number worth aiming for. So… let's see what happens between now and October 25 - maybe we'll get there. Maybe we won't :)
If you could donate, thank you!!!
If you can't, sharing this fundraiser with someone who might care about the cause is also meaningful support.
A note for my international friends: “One in Eight” is a Bulgarian organisation supporting women and families in Bulgaria. I’m deliberately sharing this fundraiser in English because many of the people in my network are not Bulgarian - and I don’t think geography should be a reason not to care.
21.1 KM - One good cause :)
Thank you for being part of it
