19 September, 2004 more then 7000 caring people who want to help even unknown ones were involved in the Race. Action of solidarity brought over to participation people running down the main street of the country, showing support to HIV-infected and people living with AIDS in Ukraine.
It is really great that there were people not from one particular layer of society. Here one could see children and teenagers, young and middle-aged people, even dogs which came together with their owners. As usual, participants of Race for Life were divided into groups – Runners and Walkers. Everybody could join any group s/he liked or according to their physical abilities. And again invalids who competed in their category participated in the event.
But, of course, victory is not the main goal in the Race, participation which proves that people are not indifferent to the problems of society and of its members is the most important. And I am sure that participants walked or ran not for the victory or prizes, but FOR LIFE!

Marina Chernenko,
Program Coordinator Ukraine YMCA