This weekend, for the fourth year, SUS INIMA participated in the Sibiu International Marathon to give cancer patients a new chance at life, healthy food, accommodation and access to quality treatments. The link between the marathon and SUS INIMA is a special one, as the marathon is the instrument through which SUS INIMA was able to open its first home, a renovated, furnished space where patients meet and go through treatment together, and where close friendships develop. The first project was called “The first support centre for people affected by cancer in Sibiu”, which raised 20,000 euros. In the following years, participation brought funds to maintain quality services (accommodation, hot meals, therapies).

These needs became known thanks to the experience Carmen Chindriș had. For Carmen, the marathon has a special personal significance because it was the boost she needed to get SUS INIMA up and running. She invested all her heart in this project. Her father was an oncology patient and so she came into contact with the struggles that these patients face. She saw the deprivation and felt first-hand what it was like to go through it and how the system does not support people who need help, who wake up overnight with a diagnosis that affects not only the patient but also those around them, relatives and friends. The SUS INIMA organisation does not only relate to patients, but also to their families, friends and doctors, all those affected by cancer. Many do not receive treatment because their financial situation does not allow it. Through the association it has tried not only to give them a chance to get treatment, but also to make their treatment period much better and the community of Sibiu has answered the call every time. This year, among the 59 fundraisers and 296 runners, adults and children, there are also people who have benefited from the organization’s help. People who after receiving free services from SUS INIMA, came and gave back so that those who now need help can receive it too. There are also runners who have become beneficiaries in one way or another. Many people found out about SUS INIMA through the marathon, so diagnosed people know where to go.

If SUS INIMA services didn’t exist, some of the patients who should be receiving treatment wouldn’t and that could mean quick death.

This year the target was 71502 RON, of which 66338 RON were raised (93% of the target), money that will be used to provide accommodation services for patients and their carers for the SUS INIMA 1 house in Sibiu, for a period of 6 months, and to make available all associated services: oncological navigation, psychological counselling, emotional support activities, etc., and one hot meal per day, for the SUS INIMA 1 and SUS INIMA 2 houses.