GIVES LIFE
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Next walk: August 8, 2022 - See more details
History of the "Da Vida" walk
Since the founding of the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer in 1938, fundraising events were worked under the Ladies Committee, where each year they selected a campaign director, who received the famous sword. By 1953, the Campaign Director was the Governor of Los Leones, Jorge Bird Fernandez, proving to be a resounding success.
The hero of this campaign was the famous comedian Ramón Rivero, known for his character Diplo, who produced the first Radio Marathon with a seven-hour long broadcast, soliciting donations via phone calls, together with his colleagues and collaborators, Eugenio Guerra and Tabaco Muñiz.
During the radio broadcast he announced his willingness to walk from San Juan to Ponce, if he received a contribution of $1,000.00. Immediately, the Ponce company Monllor and Bocio, offered to make the aforementioned donation. This walk left the halls of La Fortaleza because the campaign was initiated by the First Lady Inés Mendoza de Muñoz Marín, making a total of 80 miles, which raised $10,000.00 at that time.
On the occasion of the celebration of the 109th birthday of Ramón Rivero "Diplo", the Foundation that bears his name, led by his son, José Orbi, wished to celebrate it with a symbolic walk. At the suggestion of the artist and entertainer Edgardo Huertas, he selected the outstanding comedian of our times, Raymond Arrieta. He committed himself to the cancer cause when his daily co-worker, Dagmar, was diagnosed with the disease. He agreed to walk the route of the legendary Diplo, but from Ponce to San Juan and is still walking for our patients.
1st Ramón "Diplo" Walk 1953
Route: Fortaleza in San Juan, Caguas, Cayey, Salinas, Santa Isabel, Juana Díaz and Ponce.
It is here that the first historic walk begins, the first of its kind in Puerto Rico.
Diplo and Dr. Isaac González Martínez
From left to right: Diplo, a participating girl, Dr. Isaac González Martínez and a donor.
Path 1st Walk
The first San Juan to Ponce Trek of 1953, the overnight stays were carried out in rustic tent huts, with the bare minimum for rest.
In the photo, comedian Diplo is pictured kneeling, leafing through a newspaper, possibly reading some account of his heroics at this great event.
2nd Ramón Rivero "Diplo" Walk 2009
On the occasion of the celebration of the 109th birthday of Ramón Rivero "Diplo", the Foundation that bears his name, led by his son, José Orbi, wished to celebrate it with a symbolic walk. At the suggestion of the artist and entertainer Edgardo Huertas, he selected the outstanding comedian of our times, Raymond Arrieta. He committed himself to the cause of cancer when his daily co-worker, Dagmar, was diagnosed with the disease. He agreed to travel the route of the legendary Diplo, but from Ponce to San Juan.
2nd Ramón Rivero "Diplo" Walk 2009
Ponce, Juana Díaz, Santa Isabel, Salinas, Cayey, Caguas, Guaynabo and San Juan.
Honorable Rolando Ortíz Velázquez, Mayor of Cayey, Raymond Arrieta and Honorable Willie Miranda Marín, former Mayor of Caguas.
3rd Give Life Walk with Raymond 2010
Raymond Arrieta was impacted by Diplo's 1953 walk and identified with cancer patients, so he adopted to continue walking once a year for the benefit of the LIGA PUERTORRIQUEÑA CONTRA EL CANCER, under "DA VIDA CAMINANDO CON RAYMOND" (LIVE LIFE WALKING WITH RAYMOND).
3rd Give Life Walk with Raymond 2010
Aguadilla, Isabela, Quebradillas, Camuy, Hatillo, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Manatí, Vega Baja, Vega Alta, Dorado, Toa Baja, Bayamón and San Juan.
4th Walk for Life with Raymond 2011
Raymond Arrieta from the Vieques boat launch.
4th Walk for Life with Raymond 2011
Vieques, Fajardo, Luquillo, Río Grande, Loíza, Canóvanas, Carolina, Guaynabo, Caguas and San Juan.
5th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2012
Raymond with Gilbertito Santa Rosa and Chucho Avellanet.
5th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2012
Cayey, Cidra, Caguas, Gurabo, Juncos, Canóvanas, Carolina, Guaynabo, Cataño, Toa Baja, Bayamón and San Juan.
This is the only walk that had a night crossing. The photo shows Ray-mond accompanied by Daddy Yankee.
6th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2013
Mayagüez, Añasco, San Sebastián, Lares, Utuado, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Manatí, Vega Baja, Vega Alta, Dorado, Toa Baja, Cataño, Guaynabo, San Juan - Roberto Clemente Coliseum.
6th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2013
Raymond accompanied by Tito Trinidad and Luis Fonsi.
7th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2014
Coamo, Salinas, Guayama, Arroyo, Patillas, Maunabo, Yabucoa, Humacao, Las Piedras, Gurabo and Caguas.
Raymond with actor Jeancarlos Canela.
7th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2014
Raymond accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Wilma Pastrana de García.
8th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2015
Humacao, Naguabo, Ceiba, Fajardo, Luquillo, Río Grande, Canóvanas.
8th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2015
Raymond accompanied by one of his impersonators in the character of Plinia.
8th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2015
Raymond walks with 7siete.
8th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2015
Raymond goes along with Miguel Morales and Jorge Castro, part of the cast of the TV show "Raymond y sus Amigos".
9th Give Life with Raymond Walk 2016
Añasco, Aguada, Rincón, Añasco Mayagüez, Hormigueros, San Germán, Sabana Grande, Lajas and Cabo Rojo.
In the photo: Raymond and Dagmar
9th Give Life with Raymond Walk 2016
Raymond with coach Ruyfe and producer Tony Mojena.
9th Give Life with Raymond Walk 2016
Raymond with the Honourable Mayor of Cayey, Rolando Ortiz.
10th Walk Give Life with Raymond 2017
10th Give Life Walk with Raymond
The tenth 2018 version of "Da Vida Caminando con Raymond" will end with a repeat of Diplo's first walk from San Juan to Ponce. In total there are 11 walks, with Raymond completing 10 of them.
All of the walks traditionally take place during the months of May and June, sometimes coinciding with Diplo's birthday on 29 May. For 2018, it is 109 years since the birth of Ramón Rivero "Diplo.
What a pride for the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer to have had 2 of the greatest comedians for the benefit of our country. Now both are:
The Great Humanist Humorists of Puerto Rico.
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