A bookkeeper by profession, mother of three children and grandmother of one granddaughter, Valentina Uzunova from Bogdanci, who is 58 years old, is a marathon runner and her greatest desire is to help patients with pulmonary hypertension. She wants their therapy to be placed on the positive list of the Health Insurance Fund, and to that end, she has been practicing street and mountain running for many years and participating in competitions in the country and in the neighborhood.
Valentina Uzunova is a true example of dedication and courage. Despite being 58 years old, she continues to excel in running, showing that age is no barrier to achieving great results, especially when it comes to her passion and endurance.
Her activity as an ambassador for pulmonary hypertension is also particularly significant. Pulmonary hypertension is a poorly understood, yet very serious disease that can lead to significant health complications. Valentina's involvement in the awareness campaign for this disease is important, as she not only engages in supporting patients, but also uses her example as an athlete to motivate others.
More from the conversation with Valentina Uzunova…
What motivated you to start running to support people with pulmonary hypertension?
- I was motivated to support people with PH by Gjurgica Kjaeva after I met her in 2018 before the Skopje Marathon, when I ran for the first time wearing the PH logo T-shirt. That year I met others who had the same disease, many of whom also have children, and who do not have medications on the positive list.
How many years have you been running for this cause and what are the most significant races you have participated in?
-I have been running recreationally since 2001, I started in the area of my hometown Bogdanci. I have been running for patients with PH for seven years. Every race successfully completed is significant, especially when I win a place on the podium because that is the goal of being visible. I participate more in mountain races. Among the most significant races I can single out the Skopje marathon, the Amsterdam marathon, Vodno-Matka, the race from Strumica to Gevgelija where over 100 marathon runners participated and many others.
How does your initiative help raise awareness about pulmonary hypertension?
-My initiative through running with T-shirts with the PH logo aims to raise awareness for people facing pulmonary hypertension. Through active communication with race organizers, marathoners and the audience, I inform them about this rare and serious disease. This initiative is also aimed at attracting attention from the public, the media and the competent institutions with a clear goal - ensuring access to necessary medications by placing them on the positive list.
Have you noticed an increase in support for people with this disease over the years?
-There is a slight improvement, some medications have been put on a positive list and the media has started to talk more about the first symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. There are also other marathon runners who are joining this mission to support these patients by running while wearing a T-shirt with the pulmonary hypertension logo.
What are the biggest challenges facing patients with pulmonary hypertension in your country?
-Patients face serious challenges and a daily struggle for breath. Their physical activity is significantly limited, they cannot walk even a few meters without getting tired. Life without appropriate therapy is unthinkable for them, but medications are extremely expensive, especially when the disease is secondary and the primary medication is not available to them. Unlike our country, in other countries there are more opportunities for them and greater access to appropriate therapy.
Do you have contact with patients and how do they perceive your support?
-I had the most contact with Gjurgica, who was also my friend who has already passed away. I also have contact with other patients, we discuss problems and they support me in our joint fight to fight for the medicines that mean life to them.
Do you have a particular race or event that left the biggest impression on you?
-A special race for me was the 60 km race starting from Strumica-Valandovo-Bogdanci-Stojakovo-Bogorodica-Gevgelija, which was held in 2019 and was attended by a large number of marathon runners from all over Macedonia. That race will always have great meaning for me precisely because it was dedicated to PH patients and we were all united in the mission to support them as much as possible.
What are your future plans regarding this initiative?
-Of course, I will continue to support them and convey their message through running and wearing T-shirts with their logo until we fight for the right to treatment and provision of the medicines on the positive list.
KWhat is your training plan when you prepare for races?
-My training plan starts every day at 5:30 in the morning, I focus mostly on strength and endurance exercises. After the workday is over, I go for a run, often choosing paths along the hills and around windmills and enjoying nature.
How do you maintain your mental toughness during long races or training sessions?
-For any long race or training, mental preparedness plays a key role. I always prepare in advance to know what to expect during it. For me, running and sports are more than just an activity, my immense love for sports gives me the energy and motivation to overcome all obstacles while running.
What gives you extra motivation to continue running for charity?
-When I see patients fighting persistently and courageously with the disease, it gives me the greatest motivation. Every person has the right to a good and quality life, health and happiness.
How do you balance family life with your passion for running?
-When you have the will and love for running, anything is possible, and of course with good organization. I also have tremendous support from my family who are proud of my successes and every effort I put into my fight to achieve my goals.
Which organization to support patients with pulmonary hypertension do you collaborate with?
-I would like to thank "TREX" who are organizers of mountain races and with whose help I participate in every mountain race as a humanitarian runner. They are also an organization that helps the sick. In Macedonia, there is a registered organization "Moment Plus" where the main organizers are Boris and Ratko Kjaevi. Anyone who has a problem can turn to them for help.
With her dedication to running and public support, Valentina exemplifies perseverance, resilience, and courage, and uses her platform to raise awareness and motivate others to fight health challenges. Each of her successful race performances is not only a sporting success, but also an important step in raising public awareness about the importance of preventing and treating pulmonary hypertension.
Ivana Vangelova
Photo: Private archive
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