‘Run for their lives’ on December 13
Christmas is a time of giving and sharing with those who are less fortunate than us. For those interested in sharing, this is a worthy cause that you should sign up for on Saturday, December 13.
Dilara Liyanagama
Many of us have had the unfortunate experience of losing a loved one to cancer. It is no great secret that cancer is now on the rise. What is little known is that there is a shortage of crucial drugs due to the increased number of patients. Statistics show that 12,550 people were affected in 2012 compared to 5,012 cancer patients in 1985. The number of new cases detected per 100,000 people has more than doubled since 1985.
This is why the Rotaract Club Colombo Uptown is once again organising their annual charity event, ‘Run for their lives’ (RFTL) for the fifth consecutive time this year in Colombo next Saturday, December 13 at 3 p.m. The five km run will start and end at Police Park where the after event carnival will also take place. Its parallel event is happening in Hyde Park corner (Marble Arch entrance), London, organised by the Sri Lanka Youth Organisation UK which is a Sri Lankan university students organisation in London, on December 14 at 11.30 a.m. for the second year running.
Starting out raising Rs.500, 000 in 2010 to a staggering Rs. 3.5 million last year, ‘Run for their lives’ have come quite far. They are targeting 3000 runners this year and hoping to raise Rs. 3 million. All proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Hospital in the form of essential life saving drugs such as Levact (Bendamustine), Vinotec, Vinorebline, Pamired, Lupride Depo, AMTAX, and Vancocin as well as machinery vital for the treatment of cancer patients such as the Hematology Analyser which, according to the doctors, would daily serve substantially in cancer detection.
Malik Hannan
According to Rotaractors Dilara Liyanagama and Malik Hannan, the event has been endorsed by star cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayewardena as well as popular singer Sunil Perera. They are also looking forward to the presence of other sports personalities and movie stars as well as diplomats, especially those who have been present every year.
The run will begin from near Excellence College, opposite the basketball court of Police Park on Havelock Road. Tickets are available at Gehantex Liberty Plaza and Narahenpita and wow.lk. The applicants will be given a form to fill which should be returned with Rs.600 as registration fee. On producing the receipt at the entrance of the event, applicants will receive a pack which includes the event t-shirt, and a nutrition set along with a certificate of participation. The receipt also serves as the entrance ticket for the after-event carnival which, for the first time, will be a night carnival with around six bands and many solo singers all performing free of charge, food, dancing, games and many more fun activities including some water sports.
The runners will also receive many exciting awards and prizes such as the Top Ten runners, special prizes for women taking part, the favourite RFYL moment, the Best Dressed and the Highest Donations. There will also be five stops, commemorating the fifth anniversary, along the running route including a photo booth for the participants.