No, you’re not reading the headline wrong. On Saturday, Feb. 10 you can literally take your pants off and run in downtown Buffalo in just your undies for an amazing cause. Cupid’s Undie Run 2018 at Thin Man Brewery will benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Here’s what we found out from Heidi Pierce, race director, who brought the run to Buffalo last year.
Q: Who started Cupid’s Undie Run?
A: The idea for Cupid’s Undie Run was born in February 2010 with the desire to help co-founder Chad Leather’s little brother, Drew. Brendan Hanrahan, Chad Leathers and Bobby Gill, set off on a mission to raise awareness and donations to the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) after Drew’s NF diagnosis. The friends rallied together to create an event that would support NF research while taking a nontraditional yet fun approach towards fundraising.
Q: What is “NF”?
A: “NF”, or Neurofibromatosis, is a neurological genetic condition which affects one in 3,000 people. It can cause tumors to grow throughout the body, brain, skin and neurological system. There is no specific treatment for these tumors aside from chemotherapy and radiation. Surgical removal often does not work due to how the tumor grows. NF is more prevalent than Cystic Fibrosis, Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy and Huntington’s Disease combined.
Q: Do people literally run in their undies?
A: YES! Even though we keep our event PG-13, we encourage our participants to “bare it.” If undies aren’t your thing, be creative and come in costume, leotard or anything for that matter. The reason behind undies is people living with NF can not easily cover their bodies from tumors or deformities they were born with. We take this moment to step outside of our comfort zones and raise awareness for our friends and loved ones who live with NF every day. They may have NF, but NF does not have them.
Q: Why should people participate in the event?
A: Let’s face it; February is cold and gloomy in Buffalo. There isn’t much going on and Valentine’s Day may not be loved by all. So come have some fun, party, run/walk (or stay in and keep warm) about a mile, do something new and all for one amazing cause. If you’re single, this may be the place to meet someone new! We encourage you to come with friends, create teams and have a day you won’t forget.
Q: Where do the proceeds go?
A: Cupid’s Charity benefits the Children’s Tumor Foundation. They are a 501(C) not for profit agency which does research to find and create more effective treatments for NF.
Q: Have you participated in this type of run before?
A: I have, this will be my third Undie Run! After my first Undie Run in Pittsburgh, PA I knew right away we needed to bring this event to Buffalo.
If you would like to participate in this year’s Cupid’s Undie Run, come to the kick off party 12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at Thin Man Brewery to sign up or visit https://my.cupids.org/Register.asp to register online.
