Thousands of people united for a 7-kilometer run to raise awareness and support for rare diseases.
MUMBAI, February 25th, 2025 ( TGN ) : The Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) held the 10th edition of its flagship annual awareness run, Racefor7. This 7-kilometer marathon aims to raise awareness about rare diseases and improve access to medical treatment and resources for patients and their families. This year, over 8300 participants, including patients and caregivers, took part in the run across 21 cities.
The Mumbai run kicked off at 6:00 am from OLPS School Ground, Chembur. Since its launch in Bengaluru in 2016, the event has grown into a nationwide movement. This year, under the theme “For Rare, everywhere”, the run took place simultaneously across multiple cities, including Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Pune, Mysuru, Mangalore, Alwar, Vrindavan, Pali, Jammu, Asansol, Bhatinda and Thrissur.
Adding to the discussions, Prasanna Shirol, Co-founder and Board Director, Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI), said, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Bangalore and 20 other cities for standing with rare disease patients and caregivers. Through Race for 7, the people have embodied the spirit of “For Rare, everywhere”. This support reminds us that we are not alone and strengthens our voice in reaching policymakers and stakeholders and elevating awareness across India.
For the past 10 years Racefor7 has been strong catalyst in raising awareness and amplifying the voice of Rare Diseases Community to all the Stakeholders and General Public. This event is supported by 25 Registered Patient Advocacy Groups across the country, and over 30 Reputed Medical Institutions including Center of Excellence for Rare Diseases thus uniting India for Rare. ”
A spokesperson from Roche, the main sponsor of the event, said, “Racefor7 is a remarkable initiative that brings together communities, caregivers, and advocates to spotlight the challenges faced by rare disease patients. This event is a testament to the collective effort required to drive awareness and policy change. At Roche, we are committed to supporting ORDI’s mission and working towards equitable healthcare access. By fostering collaboration between stakeholders, we can accelerate diagnosis, improve treatment accessibility, and make a lasting impact on the rare disease community.“
