We ran for a Cause and exchanged Flowers for Health

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Among more than 30,000 registered runners, 150 wore the Hospital da Luz jersey. In the 35th edition of the Lisbon Half Marathon, held on Sunday, March 8, the Hospital da Luz team ran in support of the association Corações com Coroa and replaced the traditional International Women's Day flowers-distributed to hundreds of participants and spectators-with a free women's health screening.

Official medical service provider of the race since 2022, Hospital da Luz once again participated in the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon with a team of doctors, nurses, and health technicians who provided medical assistance to athletes throughout the course and at the race's Medical Center.

This year, the fact that the event took place on International Women's Day gave Hospital da Luz's presence a special meaning.

Through the initiative "Trade Flowers for Health," the hospital offered dozens of free women's health screenings to athletes and spectators attending the race. "Symbols are meaningful, but we believe the most powerful gesture we can make for women's health is a real one. That's why this year we turned symbols into action. Because there is still a long way to go for women's health," read the message shared by Hospital da Luz on its channels.

Hospital da Luz employees, in turn, were challenged to run for a cause, and 150 of them put on the jersey to turn each kilometer they ran into euros to be donated to Corações com Coroa-the association led for the past 14 years by Catarina Furtado, TV host and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, which "defends Human Rights and promotes their full implementation through information, advocacy, and, especially, empowerment projects for girls and women."

Between the kilometers completed by "our" athletes and those run on the treadmill set up by Hospital da Luz at Sport Expo - the Sports and Leisure Fair where participants collected their race kits - the result of this "run for a cause" was a total of 10,000 euros, delivered in a symbolic cheque at the end of the race to Catarina Furtado by Luz Saúde's CEO, Isabel Vaz.

"I can guarantee you that every cent will be put to very good use!" said the president of Corações com Coroa, offering special thanks "to everyone who ran in the name of our association wearing the Hospital da Luz jersey." She added: "I believe in a world where people mobilize and unite to fight social inequality. And for that, we need the social responsibility of companies and the individual responsibility of every citizen. So: ten thousand thank-yous!"

"Once again, we ran for a cause-with impact! Because Luz Saúde always says yes when called to serve," said Isabel Vaz, CEO of Luz Saúde. "Today, we had 150 colleagues from Hospital da Luz running for women's rights and opportunities, through Corações com Coroa. We came together so that more women can have opportunities, despite the poverty, exclusion, and violence they may have been born into, currently experience, or have been subjected to," she said, adding: "Doing this is also contributing to a healthier and happier Portugal, supporting a cause that truly matters and promoting the health and dignity of so many women and young girls."

Pedro Patricio, Executive Director of Hospital da Luz Lisboa, highlighted the symbolic gesture in women's health represented by the "Trade Flowers for Health" initiative. "The race for women's health must never stop. And our role as a healthcare institution embedded in its community is to never lose sight of that purpose-whether through social responsibility actions, like today with Corações com Coroa, or by promoting screenings and encouraging each person to take responsibility for their own health." "At a time when so many exercise enthusiasts recognize running as a way to promote their health, it is also essential that they know that Hospital da Luz has a fully equipped sports medicine center ready to support and advise them - with a strong focus on sports medicine for women as well!", said.

This 35th edition of the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon made history once again, with Ugandan athlete Jacob Kiplimo breaking the world record, finishing in 57 minutes and 20 seconds, ten seconds faster than the previous world-best mark. In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tsigie Gebreselama won again, finishing in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 48 seconds, 27 seconds slower than the course record she set in 2025.

In the photo, from left to right, after the Hospital da Luz mascot: Isabel Vaz, CEO of Luz Saúde; Catarina Furtado, president of Corações com Coroa; Mafalda Megre, from the association's board; Pedro Patrício, executive director of Hospital da Luz Lisboa; and Miguel Moia, president of the Maratona Clube de Portugal.