Streakers in Sneakers: Join Cupid’s Undie Run This Weekend in Scottsdale for a Good Cause
It’s time once again to grab your garters and don your skivvies for Cupid’s Undie Run taking place in Scottsdale on Saturday February 4th. Now in its 13th year, this annual event has raised nearly $21 million nationwide since its inception. The Local Chapter has already broken its record and continues to climb.
“Last year in Phoenix we raised an amazing $10,600 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation,” said Tammie Gineo, event director of Cupid’s Undie Run Phoenix Phoenix New Times. “We’ve already surpassed that with $16,500 this year, and we’re not done yet.”
Two participants in Cupid’s Undie Run.
Cupid’s Undie Run
The charity run for over 21s takes place in 30 cities across the country. It is also the official event of the Children’s Tumor Foundation. All net proceeds will go towards funding neurofibromatosis (NF) research. Gineo says NF affects one in 3,000 births, “that’s about 2.5 million people worldwide. Anyone can be born with it and it affects everyone differently. NF can lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, or cancer. There is no cure yet.”
Gineo has a personal connection to the cause. She says she had never heard of NF until she saw her friend Heather Frazier post about it on social media. Frazier’s son Ryan was diagnosed with the disease when he was 6 months old.
“He was a little fighter who has numerous tumors all over his body; however, he has a very long complex tumor called a plexiform neurofibroma. It’s in his head, neck, shoulders and upper chest. It squeezes and wraps around his carotid artery. He suffers from hearing loss in his left ear, sleep apnea and asthma to name just a few symptoms. He has MRIs every four to six months and has had 23 MRIs by the age of 11. In March 2022 he started his second chemotherapy,” says Gineo.
Heather Frazier and her son Ryan Calhoun.
Cupid’s Undie Run
Moved by her friend’s post, Gineo decided to enter Cupid’s Undie Run herself in 2019. “I googled to see if there was a local event and there definitely was,” she recalls. “When COVID happened there was a pause in the event. It was brought back virtually in 2021 and last year they were looking for a new event director. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do my small part in making a difference to one day help find a cure for Ryan and all the other families affected by this disease.”
As the name suggests, participants in the Undie Run are encouraged to dress up for the event in their Unspeakables, which can range from long johns to lingerie, but most importantly, have fun while doing it.
“This is a charity party!” says Gineo. “Go crazy with your underwear, romper or costume, let your hair down but don’t dress us all in thongs, pastes or nudes. Remember, it’s for the kids – we just hope they aren’t watching.”
Strollers on the streets raise money for neurofibromatosis research.
Cupid’s Undie Run
Organizers say the run will start at 2pm and will not disrupt traffic as it begins on the sidewalks in front of the Well Bar on North Scottsdale Road. The course winds through a few nearby apartment blocks and ends back at the Well Bar.
“As we strip down to our underwear, enjoy some sunshine and liquid courage, run or walk a mile, we need to remind ourselves why we’re doing it,” says Gineo. “We’re doing our small part to raise money and raise awareness about neurofibromatosis.”
Cupid’s Undie Run will be held on Saturday, February 4th at The Well Bar at 2623 North Scottsdale Boulevard from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration for in-person or virtual attendance is $45.
For those unable to attend, you can donate to the cause through the organization’s website.
