This Sunday CH & FC grounds will host one of the most successful Rotaract projects in recent times. Run for Their Lives has shown itself to be of respite to the burden of a heavy medical expenditure at the Maharagama Cancer Institute. The charity run that many have a cheerful go at, directs its fund to this worthy cause, and good organization has made it a popular event. About 1700 participants ran last year to raise over 1.3 million which was donated in the form of prescribed medicine to the Institute.

The run is organized by the Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown and has been instrumental in creating awareness about their cause in addition to raising funds. The run has also been endorsed by the national cricket team, whose autographed memorabilia are among other awards given to the run’s winners.

Nearly ten foreign delegates take part in the run and RFTL has its franchise runs abroad as foreign support runs. They seek to spread word Run for Their Lives and the plight of the National Cancer Institute to other countries through this. During RFTL 2013, 4 foreign runs were organized in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and the United States cumulatively raising Rs. 75,000.

When the then Finance Director Hassan Ismail first came up with the idea of a charity run fashioned after the Terry Fox Run, during Rotaract Uptown’s revival back in 2010, the idea was first received skeptically because such runs were new to us and so the project was chancy. Cancer, being a close cause to many of the club members back then presented itself as the most natural and convincing option to direct its funds for, and Run for Their Lives was instigated.

With the support of public figures like Sunil Perera, Rookantha Gunathilaka, Koluu, Jehan Aloysius, Mahela Jayawardana, Randhir, Natasha Ratnayake, Farveez Maharoof & Angelo Mathews the word about Run For Their Lives eventually spread and reached a cross section of people.  The story of Run for Their Lives is recalled to this day as one of setbacks, emotional battles and negative criticism and ultimate success.

The award winning club ensures that the less-than-5-kilometre run is for all to join in and to enjoy themselves. With the post run fair becoming popular too, you can find any number of light-hearted people joining in the race for good fun and to prop up a very worthy cause.

This year’s Run for Their Lives will be held on the 8^th of December at the CH & FC from 7 a.m. onwards. You can avail yourself of entry to participate, entrance to the fair, the benchmark t-shirt, refreshments and a printed photograph for a registration fee of Rs.600 only. For more about Run for Their Lives 2013, visit www.rftl.lk or www.facebook.cm/runfortheirlives

The event is sponsored by Glitz, FedEx, Bindu Foundation and Brandix, Take Control Motivational Programme, Enchanteur, Kottuville, WhatsUpColombo, Shout.lk, Quickee.lk, Mahogany, FitsAir and TNL Radio.

By Nivedha Jeyaseelan