By Shakira Vargas El Nuevo Día

In its twelfth edition, "Da Vida" 2020 was celebrated with the comedian walking on a treadmill.

The emotion on the face of comedian and entertainer Raymond Arrieta Raymond Arrieta was inevitable at the culmination today of the twelfth edition of "Da Vida" 2020, an event with which he once again fulfilled his commitment to walk to raise funds for the benefit of cancer patients of the Dr. Isaac González Martínez Oncology Hospital.

A preliminary amount of $1,190,708.99 was collected since last Monday, October 12 and concluded today, Friday, in this edition that was carried out in a different way due to the pandemic situation by the COVID-19.

At the end of his mission, the entertainer, who wore the shirts of his sponsors during the daily segments, said his first words: "It was not easy at all, it was very different. It hurts, but we are here. We are going for the good news for the hospital. As he listened to the contributions, Arrieta constantly thanked for being "a difficult year", as well as thanking all the personalities who were part of this edition.

"The biggest lesson is that there is so much news from a people, who may be separated by politics or by the murders and things that are happening, but there are so many millions of people who are humble and who give of what they don't have to help. That was evidenced in these five days, where people were calling us and giving what they could for the Oncology Hospital. There are too many good people here and we have to highlight that," said Arrieta to El Nuevo Día, who had the goal of reaching a million dollars, although at the same time he saw it as very difficult to reach that goal. They finally surpassed it and still have more donations to be counted.

It was through the broadcast of the program "Día a Día", from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., that Arrieta completed approximately 40 miles by walking on a treadmill from the Telemundo studios over the past five days, accompanied by different personalities on two other treadmills.

Although on this occasion the artist did not suffer the ravages of the sun or the inclement weather, he said that the walk on the treadmill was more challenging than he imagined. "It was very hard because it hurts your ankles, your Achilles heel, your calves, your hamstring, your buttocks. That's horrible because you're doing the same step all the time. It's not like on the street, you go down, you go uphill, you move to the side, you get a donation, you stop... This was three hours on the same step. When you finish, you get off dizzy, the pain is incredible", explained the comedian, revealing that his children were witnesses of the way he arrived home, that he took a bath, lay down and raised his legs because of the exhausting process.

"How I wish I could have been there to give you that hug we always give each other when we reach the finish line by fulfilling your commitment. Thank you on behalf of all cancer patients. What you do is great, maybe you don't realize it, but it is important to hear how people receive this help. It is good that you were the one God chose for this! Dagmar Rivera.

Before starting today's program, the host commented: "We cried, we laughed, with our hearts in it before starting the last part". In addition to saying that he was "esbaratao", he confessed that he woke up nervous because he had a goal in mind that he wanted to achieve. So much so that he even left his protein shake at home.

"Thanks to God that Ruyfe gave me the shake of him. I left everything, I left the house like crazy, super nervous, like the first day I started walking. The first day I almost stopped because I could not, because the incline of the treadmill at the same pace for three hours was very hard. That day I couldn't walk and I had to go to the rehearsal of 'Raymond and Friends', which I left at 9:00 at night. Compression therapies on my legs was what helped me a lot", said the entertainer, who still does not know if he will auction the used tennis shoes as he has done in previous editions.

The treadmill used by Arrieta, who was supported by his parents from home, since he did not give them permission to be present in the studio to protect them, was autographed in different parts by the same entertainer and announced that it will be auctioned. He also commented that it is a new treadmill, a model that just arrived in Puerto Rico that does not need electricity to work and is made for a good workout, valued at $10,200 and that was donated to them. It started with the first bid of $11,100 and is already going for $12,000 and will be auctioned off next Monday on the "Día a Día" program. Those interested in participating in the auction should call 787-641-2222, extension 2042.

One of the emotional moments of the evening was when the entertainer received a donation of $600,000 from the Me Salvé stores, which included the proceeds from the sale of shirts and hats alluding to the "Da Vida" walk. Trying to hold back the tears, the entertainer with a broken voice, said: "Wow, thanks to the people who came out to cooperate with their kids and went to the stores to buy their shirts and caps, thanks to the stores, thanks to the humble people of this island who came out to cooperate in these difficult times. It was worth all the sacrifices. This gives the patients the peace of mind to receive their treatments without having to pay".

Coaches Ruyfe Delgado and Sigfredo Rodriguez, who have accompanied Arrieta throughout the 12 years of the walk, were also present today walking in the Telemundo studio, in addition to singer Oscar Serrano, journalist Ricardo Torres and doctor Victor Gordo, who in order to be present in the Telemundo studio had to take the COVID-19 molecular test as part of the prevention protocols. From a distance and on a treadmill, the singers Jean Carlos Canelafrom Canada, and Tito El Bambino, from a gym with his trainer, connected virtually.

"The same thing always happens to me, I get excited, but I'm happy, I'm happy. I am happy, I am content. I don't mind dragging my feet anymore, now I'll heal this weekend and on Monday we'll go back to work, we'll go on," he concluded, committing himself to the next edition. "Next year, if we are still healthy, we'll be back".

During the program, moving videos were presented with testimonies of cancer patients and survivors, who lacked the financial resources to cover expenses and who have benefited from the acquisition of equipment and machines, such as the Imaging Center of the Oncology Hospital.

Also, during the fundraising event, which was also broadcast on telemundopr.com, motivational speaker Daniel Habif sent an inspirational message to the host of "Raymond y sus amigos" and urged viewers to send in their donations. Meanwhile, a phone bank was set up in the studio, where staff from the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer answered calls.