Last Sunday, the Kidney Foundation hosted a walk and a cycle rally at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, to raise awareness about kidney health. This exciting event was a fantastic opportunity to combine exercise, fun, and supporting a worthy cause and it was an honour to support this event as one of the many participants.
On Sunday, 28th April 2024, a group of volunteers were waiting at the Shivaji Park Dadar for participants and the guest to arrive. As I reached the venue, I was greeted by a team of Doctor’s, and handed over a new white T-Shirt and red cap with a logo of Kidney Foundation for Kids. The team also gave a bag of refreshments and breakfast. This was a rare privilege at an event associated for a social cause and I am thankful to the organisers for inviting the cycling community.
The chief guest was Bollywood Actors Kanwaljit Singh, Haider Ali, Unicyclist Imran Khan, Dr Uma Ali, Dr Preeti Shanbag and other doctors from Kidney Foundation. The host welcomed the guest and participants with a short speech and invited a parent and his child to narrate their case of Kidney Transplant and how they are coping with the treatment post the surgery. The role of Kidney Foundation was highlighted by the parent and how he and his son was benefited from their guidance.
Speaking about the initiative Dr. Uma Ali says “Kidney Foundation was started by a group of doctors few years ago and since then we have done many outreach programs. We have identified that early symptoms amongst patients go unnoticed and there is lack of proper medications and diagnosis available. Therefore, through Kidney Foundation we are attempting to create awareness as a group and this cycle rally and walk around Shivaji Park is one of the efforts to spread the message.
Dr. Preeti Shanbag, one of the founding members of the Kidney Foundation say’s “We are a team of paediatricians working for the welfare of the young kids whose Kidney conditions often goes unnoticed. Through public events we interact with the kids and their parents and assist them at an early stage of detecting Kidney issues.
When I asked how come she thought of organizing a cycle rally she explained “Initially the idea was to do a walk around the Shivaji Park but one of my friends suggested to do a cycle rally. We are glad that many cyclists along with citizens came forward for this social cause to spread awareness about Kidney Foundation for Children”.
The cycle rally:
Open to cyclists of all ages and abilities, the rally took place at Shivaji Park, a scenic and popular spot in Mumbai. The event featured:
- A designated cycling route around the park, offering stunning views and a pleasant ride
- Informative sessions on Chronic kidney disease prevention and management by medical professionals
- Fun activities and refreshments for participants
Ride for a Reason:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. Early detection and management are crucial to slow disease progression and improve quality of life.
The cycling rally aims to:
- Raise awareness about CKD and its risk factors
- Promote healthy lifestyle choices for kidney health
- Encourage regular exercise
- Support the Kidney Foundation’s vital work in education, research, and patient care
Join the Movement:
One doesn’t have to wait for an event to participate, rather get connected with the patients around you and help those in need. You can volunteer at a convenient time and as per your knowledge and capacity.
Spread the Word:
Help us create a wave of awareness! Share this blog post and inspire your friends, family, and cycling enthusiasts. Encourage them to join the social cause and make a difference.
About Pedal Warriors:
Pedal Warriors played an instrumental role in making this cyclothon a success. Pedal Warriors is an active cycling community of Mumbai. The motive of this group is to promote cycling for fitness, commuting and all kinds of cycling. The group respects all cyclists from other groups, from different places and communities. The group believes that cycling can play a major role in solving environment, traffic and health issues.
Mangala Pai a member of Pedal Warriors says “The Admin of Pedal Warriors Ashish Aroskar is a very genuine person who takes care of each and every member of our group. He is very helpful and motivates us to participate in cycling events for various social causes.”
Lastly, thanks to Mangala Pai for inviting all the cyclists for this noble cause and we were happy to come together for a fun-filled cycling event that promotes healthy living and supports kidney health awareness.
Together, let’s cycle for healthy kidneys!
My next big goal is to visit the Euro Bike Show in Frankfurt, Germany. Since, it’s an expensive trip, I am collecting funds and you too can contribute.
Donate Here: https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/euro-bike-show-2024-in-germany
You might also like to read: VISIT TO RIDE ASIA EXPO 2024: A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY
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Author: Vijay Malhotra, Mumbai
