Khushi Maheshwari, Pune
The word ‘cancer’ carries connotations of fear for patients and their family members alike, despite the awareness surrounding it, believes Anup Mehta; the individual who set up Umeed Cancer Support Forum in 2023. The forum now has approximately 200 members consisting of both patients and survivors.
According to Mehta, when a patient sees a survivor confidently walking and running it uplifts their spirit and makes the fear subside.
Mehta, who is also a 50-year-old colorectal cancer survivor, stressed on the significance of having support of fellow patients and cancer survivors while battling with the illness.
Recalling the distressing days of his illness, he explained how getting diagnosed with cancer was in itself a huge blow, but, on top of that, having no support while dealing with it made the situation even worse.
Therefore, the marathon inherently aims to convey the message that “Life is bigger than cancer”
Details of the Event:
- Lengths of Marathon
- 10 km
- 5 km
- 3 km
- 1 km
- Timings: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
- Warm up session: Zumba
- Warm up session timings 5:30 a.m.
Some additional guidelines and rules state that the minimum age of participating in the 10 km marathon is 18 years while the 5 km race is open to all ages. Although those below the age of 18 are to run along with either one of their parents along with the consent of both of their parents.
Moreover, the participants for Umeed KiRun need to understand that the marathon requires physical fitness and an advisory by doctors stating that they meet that extent of fitness.
Shivani Charak and Prathmesh Sinha are the chief guests for the event. Shivani got the tragic prognosis for her ovarian cancer at the tender age of 9 and has till date won three gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal in various national level sports climbing events while 12-year old Prathmesh is who has been diagnosed with brain tumour twice (because of which he became visually impaired) in his life is a motivational speaker and a participant of Shark Tank India, season one.
This event is an initiative by the Oncology group of Pune in collaboration with the BJ Government Medical college.