Together for the Smallest Heroes: Run for Cancer Cure 2025

A record number of more than 2,700 registrants supported this year’s University of Pécs “Run for Cancer Cure!” charity run, contributing to the recovery of children battling cancer. The entire proceeds of HUF 8,402,500 were donated to the Eurakvilo Paediatric Oncology ans Children's Hospice Public Foundation.

It was already clear during pre-registration that on 13 September a huge crowd would gather in Széchenyi Square and the city centre of Pécs for the charity run. Over 500 additional participants registered on the spot, contributing nearly HUF 2 million to Eurakvilo. Altogether HUF 8,402,500 was raised,

setting a record for the event in terms of both participants and donations.

“There are regions in the world where people know how to remain healthy for decades and live long, healthy lives,” began Dr József Betlehem, Vice-Rector for General, Strategic and Community Relations at UP, in his welcome speech.
 

“We would like to learn from these regions through the community of the University of Pécs. I trust that this event provides the most authentic way to launch the UP Blue Zone programme. Thanks to the wide cooperation across the university and the organisers’ careful work, many faculties and organisations have brought their expertise here today, offering opportunities to glimpse into aspects of a healthy lifestyle through the activities on site.”

For the first time, the run was preceded by the UP Blue Zone Health Day, during which participants could visit nine stations dedicated to healthy living. Colourful programmes, demonstrations and interactive stands presented, in playful ways, the importance of healthy lifestyles, sport, prevention and safety. By visiting the stations, participants could also join the Stamp Collection Challenge: those who collected at least three stamps were eligible to win valuable gift packages from the event’s partners.
 

Dr Gábor Ottóffy, Head of the Paediatric Clinic’s Oncohaematology Department at the UP Clinical Centre and Chair of the Board of the Eurakvilo Foundation, explained that the Paediatric Oncology Department is relocating, and the donations will support developments there: 
“The aim is to create a family-friendly environment where children can play in a newly designed experience room and playroom, while older children can do sports and study. Children with long-term immune deficiencies will have germ-free rooms, making it possible for some young leukaemia patients from other cities to be treated here. Another important goal is to ensure that parents can stay with their children during treatments that may last for several weeks, which is why we plan to purchase comfortable beds. In addition, we intend to build an outdoor playground so that children can also play outside if their condition allows.”
 

The patron of the event was Chief Medical Officer Dr Orsolya Surján, who was unable to attend due to other commitments. In her stead, Dr Andrea Zentai, Head of the Department of Nutrition Science at the National Public Health and Pharmacy Centre, welcomed participants.
 

This year nearly seventy running ambassadors assisted the organisers, mobilising their communities with enthusiasm and leading by example, ensuring that the event reached so many people. A new feature this year was the introduction of a special category for Pécs primary schools, allowing ambassadors to compete not only individually but also at institutional level.
 

The most successful school was Pécs City Centre Primary School, mobilising 158 participants (ambassador: Zita Lieber). Second place went to the Deák Ferenc Primary School of the UP Practice Primary and Secondary School with 121 participants (ambassador: Éva Lovas). Third place was taken by the No. 1 Primary School of the UP Practice Primary and Secondary School with 78 participants (ambassador: Dénes Garai). 
In the individual category, first place went to Dr Judit Prókai (staff member of UP Faculty of Science STI) with 193 participants, followed by Ferenc Végső (employee of Hungarian Post Ltd.) with 163 participants, and in third place Szilvia Kovácsné Levang (staff member of the UP Clinical Centre) with 106 participants. The organisers expressed their gratitude to every running ambassador, as without them this outstanding community success could not have been achieved.
 

On the day of the run, those wearing the 2025 thank-you T-shirt received a 50% discount on entry to the Pécs Zoo, Mecsextrém Park, and the Genius Loci – Spirit of the Place exhibition at the Janus Pannonius Museum Visitor Centre. These discounts are also available year-round with a UP Alumni card, which is available not only to graduates but also to staff members.

The event was organised under the central sports coordination of the University of Pécs, as part of the UP Blue Zone programme series, and with the support of UP for Families.    

Main sponsors of the event:

ATS Focivilág
Körber Hungária

Additional supporters of “Run for Cancer Cure!”: 

UP Dancing University 
UP Alumni and Corporate Relations 
UP Domestic Recruitment Marketing Office 
UP Coordination and Operations Development Directorate 
UP PEAC Cheerleading Department 
UP-PEAC Fencing Department 
UP Faculty of Health Sciences 
UP Faculty of Science STI 
Baranya County Police Headquarters 
EventSelfie
Kids Save Lives in Hungary
Hungarian Child Rescue Foundation
Safe Fall Safe School
Tettye Forrásház