Denverites streak through the city, for a good cause, of course
Sage Kelley [email protected]
If you saw over a hundred nearly naked people running through Denver on Saturday, no, it wasn’t a feverish act of defiance – it was for a good cause.
Cupid’s Charity continued its battle against Neurofibromatosis on Saturday with their annual Undie Run — a mile-long strut through downtown Denver in only your underwear. Some were wearing costumes, too.
Luckily, it was warm for February.
The charity run, which began in 2010, helps raise money for Neurofibromatosis research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. It impacts around one in every 2,000 people.
Runners were all smiles, despite being exposed to the elements. Luckily, it was over 60 degrees and sunny on Saturday, leading to a moderate jog through the city.
Sage Kelley [email protected]
Runners were all smiles, despite being exposed to the elements. Luckily, it was over 60 degrees and sunny on Saturday, leading to a moderate jog through the city.
“There are a lot of charity events out there,” Christine Gallager, event director of Cupid’s Undie Run in Denver, said. “But what we do is so unique. It caters to people that really want to come and have fun for a good cause.”
Teams raise money from sponsors in 31 cities, eventually running in a half-naked mile every February.
The organization has raised $23.7 million since it’s inception in 2010.
The Denver run raised more than $160,000 this year, The highest fundraiser in the state and country was Jeff and Rubi Powl of Denver.
Jeff Powl raised $30,177 individually, placing him at the top in the country. Their team raised $33,117, placing them as the second-rank team nationally. Since 2018, the Powls have raised over $150,000 themselves for Neurofibromatosis research.
Jeff and Rubi Powl helped raise over $30,000 for the Cupid's Undie Run this year, taking their seven-year total to over $150,000. The money they raise has directly helped their son, Jake, who was born with Neurofibromatosis.
Sage Kelley [email protected]
Jeff and Rubi Powl helped raise over $30,000 for the Cupid’s Undie Run this year, taking their seven-year total to over $150,000. The money they raise has directly helped their son, Jake, who was born with Neurofibromatosis.
The Powls’ son was born with the genetic disorder. Cupid’s Charity and the Children’s Tumor Foundation welcomed them in, according to Jeff, in a time where they felt as if they had no answers or direction.
The message and warmth kept them around, helping raise funds for the charity for seven years.
“We see the benefits directly,” Jeff Powl said. “Our son was diagnosed with a brain tumor back in 2020. In April of 2020, the funds that were raised through Cupid’s Run helped a drug called the MEK Inhibitor get FDA approved.”
Their son went on that exact medication in November of 2020, helping improve symptoms.
“The eye doctor told us that if he wasn’t on that pill, he would have gone blind,” Jeff added.
Those improvements, regardless of their size, keep the family coming back and supporting the run.
Hundreds of half-naked runners moved through the Denver streets on Saturday afternoon as part of the charity run with the idea of bringing awareness to their cause of Neurofibromatosis research.
Sage Kelley [email protected]
Hundreds of half-naked runners moved through the Denver streets on Saturday afternoon as part of the charity run with the idea of bringing awareness to their cause of Neurofibromatosis research.
“It’s very emotional because you are celebrating people with the disorder, but at the same time, it’s painful because you know they have a difficult life,” Rubi Powl said of the event. “We’re happy to support them and let them know that there’s a community behind them.”
Jeff added that the event allows adults with Neurofibromatosis to come out and be part of a community. No one there cares if there’s a tumor on their body. For parents, it allows them to come together and share their experiences with the rare disorder.
But, the question still stands: why the underwear?
Gallager notes that the original idea was to do something super noticeable.
“People are looking at us in the middle of February. It gets us noticed and it’s something that people see and wonder ‘what are those people doing?'”
Denver didn’t seem to mind, though, with people lining the streets to cheer on the hundreds of runners.
The bystanders were dressed, of course.