On February 8th, hundreds of people in Charlotte will brave the weather in just their undies during Cupid’s Undie Run, the nation’s largest pantless party and mileish run for charity.
The event raises awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, and fundraises for NF research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF).
Before the run, participants warm up with adult beverages and then take to the streets in their hometown for a one- mile (ish) run. After the run, the participants come back together to celebrate their fundraising efforts.
“This annual pantless party brings together passionate volunteers and individuals to support the NF community and raise money for a great cause,” said Amy Boulas, Executive Director of Cupid’s Charity.
NF is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body that can lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain and cancer. Currently there is no cure for NF. The disorder affects one in every 3,000 births, and an estimated 100,000 Americans currently live with NF disorders, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
All of the net proceeds from Cupid’s Undie Run fund NF research through Cupid’s Charity’s partner, the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF), a three-star rated charity and global leader in NF research. Over the last ten years, Cupid’s Charity has funded research that has helped generate 116 preclinical studies and 16 clinical studies resulting in more than 70% of participants seeing their tumors shrink by 20 to 50%.
“We are proud of the financial contributions we’ve been able to give CTF to date and are thankful for the generous support of our sponsors, donors, volunteers and participants who have helped us accomplish so much,” said Boulas.
Over the last ten years, Cupid’s Undie Run has grown from a single event in Washington, DC with a few hundred runners to a national fundraising phenomenon with tens of thousands of participants.
This year, Cupid’s Undie Run will be held in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boise, Boston, Buffalo, Charleston, Charlotte, Cheyenne, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Los Angeles, Madison, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Reno, Seattle, St. Louis, St. Petersburg, Tuscaloosa, Virginia Beach, Washington and Wilmington.
For more information regarding the event in Charlotte and to purchase tickets, click here – my.cupids.org/cur/