Over four thousand people. One 5km run. And R100 000 raised by the community and runners to help women access potentially life-saving breast health services. Rosebank Mall’s Pink Run, held on Saturday, 24 October, has delivered its biggest turnout yet, exceeding its target of 3 500 participants and reaching its fundraising goal for breast health organisation ILoveBoobies.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The money raised will enable 200 women from underserved communities to receive free breast health education and clinical screenings. For women with limited access to these services, the support offers an opportunity for earlier detection and informed decisions about their breast health.
The annual event has grown from 900 participants in 2023 to 3 100 last year and 4 300 in 2026. This year’s turnout surpassed the mall’s original target of 3 500 by 23%, showing how strongly Johannesburg has embraced a run that brings families, friends, walkers and runners together for a shared cause.
The need for accessible breast health services is considerable. According to the 2024 National Cancer Registry, breast cancer is the most common cancer among South African women, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, with an estimated one in 28 women at risk of developing the disease during their lifetime. According to ILoveBoobies, only an estimated 5% to 10% of South African women undergo breast cancer screening, underscoring the barriers many women face in accessing early detection services.
“When we first hosted the Pink Run in 2023, around 900 people joined us. To see 4,300 people support it this year is extraordinary, and we are immensely grateful to everyone who entered, donated or helped make the event possible,” says Angelisa Gengan, Marketing Manager of Rosebank Mall. “We want every participant to know where their contribution is going and to understand the difference it will make. This is why we host community initiatives such as the Pink Run, and we couldn’t be prouder of the support it has received.”
This year marked Rosebank Mall’s partnership with ILoveBoobies, whose team brought encouragement to the route through its signature Hype Zone.
The value of screening was illustrated at a recent ILoveBoobies initiative in Cape Town, where 91 women received free clinical breast screenings and 19 were referred for further investigation. For these women, screening provided an opportunity to identify potential concerns that warrant further medical attention.
“ILoveBoobies was there to bring the energy with our signature Hype Zone, offering a little extra speed, a hug when needed and plenty of high fives to get everyone to the finish line,” says Nicky Webb, Director of ILoveBoobies ZA NPC. “Thanks to Rosebank Mall’s generous donation, 200 women from underserved communities will receive free breast health education and clinical screenings. These are women who would otherwise have limited access to vital early detection services, and that is what makes every step count.”
An event like this is also not possible without the generosity of sponsors who deserve a mention: Nedbank’s R25 000 contribution to the race costs, The Hyde Hotel’s donation of a R25 000 social media competition prize, while Pick n Pay provided 4 000 cupcakes and doughnuts for participants, as well as a R5 000 voucher to help ILoveBoobies with everyday expenses. These contributions, together with the support of runners, donors and the wider community, helped make this year’s Pink Run a success.
For Rosebank Mall, the success of this year’s Pink Run extends to the lives it will touch, with the funds raised helping ILoveBoobies bring breast health education and early detection services to women who need them.
https://www.rosebankmall.co.za/event/rosebank-malls-5km-pink-run