GKNM Hospital and LMW jointly organized “Run for Little Hearts 2023” Marathon aid of children with heart defects and childhood cancers, on September 24, 2023, at Mani’s Higher Secondary School, Pappanaickenpalayam. This event aimed to raise awareness and support children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and Childhood Cancers by providing financial assistance for their medical treatment. The marathon garnered participation from around 2000 individuals in various categories, including 1, 3, 5, and 10 KM runs. Notably, cancer and CHD survivors, as well as physically challenged individuals, also took part in this significant event.
Kranthi Kumar Pati, Coimbatore District Collector and Dr. Ragupathy Veluswamy, GKNM Hospital Chief Executive Officer inaugurated the awareness Run, which began at 5.30 am. Physically Challenged People and Children who were recovered from Cancer & CHD also participated in this mega marathon. Additionally, GKNM Hospital organized a free heart check-up camp for children, benefiting more than a hundred participants. This initiative aligns with International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month observed in September and World Heart Day, also celebrated in September, as a global event.
The statistics highlight the pressing need for such initiatives, with 3 to 5 million children globally living with chronic heart rheumatic heart disease and one in four babies born with a heart defect. In India alone, more than 2,00,000 children were estimated to suffer from CHD annually, with a significant portion requiring early interventions within their first year of life. These awareness programs aim to improve access to treatment and care for children affected by CHD and Childhood Cancer, honouring the memory of those who have battled these conditions.
Notable dignitaries present at the event included Dr. Ragupathy Veluswamy (CEO), Dr. G. Manoharan (CMO), Dr. S. Santosh Kumar (Medical Director), Dr. T. Sundara Rajan (RMO), Biju Velayudhan (CIO), and Srinivasan, who serves as the Joint Secretary and Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Coimbatore District Athletics Association (CDAA).
