The Pink Power Run is an annual initiative by the Sudha Reddy Foundation to raise awareness about breast cancer and highlight the importance of early detection. The second edition attracted 20,000 participants at Necklace Road, Hyderabad including tennis icon Leander Paes and Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata Chuangsri who used their reach and influence for the greater good.
Sports icon and fashion stars raise awareness about breast cancer
Celebrities in fashion, films, pop culture and sports leverage their influence to raise awareness about social and environmental issues. Their status provides a platform that can reach millions of people. For instance, Leonardo DiCaprio, renowned for his advocacy for environmental sustainability, uses his influence to push for urgent action on climate change. Through Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, he funds conservation efforts and advocates for policy changes worldwide. Emma Watson uses her fame to champion women’s rights. As a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, she launched the #HeForShe campaign, which involves men in the fight for gender equality.
Through their efforts, celebrities remind us that influence can be a powerful tool for social good. This week, the “Pink Power Run”, inaugurated by philanthropist Sudha Reddy, business tycoon Krishna Reddy, Miss World Organization head honcho Julia Morley, actor Brahmanandamand and tennis icon Leander Paes in Hyderabad, India raised awareness about breast cancer and early detection. Reigning Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata Chuangsri also highlighted the global significance of the cause.
The high-wattage event featured a delegation of leading beauties including Miss World Caribbean, Miss Namibia, Miss World Oceania, Miss World Americas, Miss World Europe and Miss World Asia as well as homegrown representation with Miss India World Nandini Gupta and Nikita Porwal in attendance. Themed “Stride & Shine”, this year’s edition combined fitness, community spirit and social responsibility. Pre-cursor activities to the main event included fitness workshops, survivor stories and social media challenges designed to create awareness.
“Our collective efforts can create a powerful movement for breast cancer awareness, empowering individuals with the knowledge to take charge of their health. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women—early detection can save countless lives. The Pink Power Run promotes health screenings, self-check practices, and the crucial message that awareness equals empowerment,” she said.
“As a strong advocate for health and empowerment, I am proud to support the Pink Power Run,” said tennis champion Leander Paes. “This initiative not only promotes physical fitness but also raises vital awareness about breast cancer. Together, we can inspire hope and encourage early detection, proving that every step contributes to a larger movement for change.”
“This initiative represents hope, resilience, and unity in the battle against breast cancer,” explained Sudha Reddy. “The Pink Power Run remains a powerful platform for raising awareness, fostering community engagement, and highlighting the importance of early detection… For me, Pink Power Run 2.0 is profoundly personal. It honours survivors, remembers those we’ve lost, supports ongoing fighters, emphasizes the critical role of prevention and early detection, and invites the community to join the collective fight against breast cancer.”
The 10K Open category witnessed remarkable performances from both male and female participants. In the men’s division, Ankit Gupta secured the first position with a time of 30:52 and Seema Seema emerged as the winner of the women’s division, completing the run in 34:44. In the 5K Open category, Harmanjot Singh clinched the top spot in the men’s division with a remarkable time of 14:25. In the women’s division, Ankita Ankita emerged victorious, completing the run in 16:52.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
