Mumbai
29 January 2019
DIVYA AZAD
Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for the 6th edition of the children’s most favourite event- “Little Hearts Marathon 2019” at Bandra Kurla Complex on 27th Jan 2019. More than 27,000 children from across the city participated in the marathon. The proceeds from the marathon are used to provide subsidized care for children ailing from various heart diseases. The past five editions of Little Hearts Marathon have helped us for coming up with state of the art infrastructure, high end equipment’s and excellent doctors team with trained nurses and in saving lives of over 1000 children suffering from Cardiac ailments.
Present at the event for the flag off were Bollywood Actor John Abraham, Corporator and Board Member Mr. Datta Pongade, Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals and other dignitaries were present.
Approximately 100,000 babies are born each year with “major” and “critical” Congenital heart disease (CHD) in India. As symptoms for congenital heart diseases begin at 1 or 2 months of age, often the diagnosis of the same is missed; making it the biggest reason for increased mortality and morbidity. Due to general lack of awareness, approximately 10% of infant mortality in India can be accounted for by CHD alone. The number of children who are in waiting list for heart surgeries is more than 500 in Maharashtra state alone. Also the rate of cardiac diseases in young adults is increasingly alarmingly with a sedentary lifestyle. The Marathon also promotes the message of a healthy, active lifestyle amongst children.
Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO Wadia Hospitals, said “We are glad to see this event growing from 1st to 6th edition today and the awareness about this has spread as the kids participants have increased. Kids running for the kids cardiac patients is motivating. As of now it can be estimated that there are less than 50 centers in India with the capability of infant and newborn open-heart surgery and a minimum annual caseload of 200 operations. The majority of these are a part of “for-profit institutions” and fewer than 10 of these are in the government sector. The Cardiac Surgery Department within Paediatric Hospital was started in April 2017 and till now it has performed 1000 surgeries with 100% success rate. We dedicate the success of Little Hearts Marathon to these lovely children who enthusiastically participate to support children of their age suffering from heart diseases.At Wadia we have a specialized team, including Pediatric Cardiologist, Pediatric cardiac Surgeon and Paediatric Cardiac Intensivists”.
Ness Wadia, MD, Wadia Group, said, “Through the six editions of Little Hearts Marathon and relentless efforts made by BaiJerbaiWadia Hospital for Children (BJWHC), over 1000 lives of children suffering from Cardiac ailments have been saved thus far. Setting up of a state-of-the-art Pediatric Cardiac Centre at BJWHC, with high-end and modernized equipment, excellent team of doctors, along with trained nurses stands as a testimony to just how far determination and hard work can take you. I am happy to note that BJWHC has made good progress in ensuring that both – the cost and waiting time – for treatment are reduced considerably for children from underprivileged section in need of critical cardiac surgery. That said, lot more needs to be done, for which Little Hearts Marathon is organised every year to raise awareness for the problem as well as raise funds to be able to treat as many children as we can.”
Ali Harris Shere, VP, Marketing, Britannia says, “We are delighted to support such an important cause to keep our country’s children healthy. This year, the marathon is expected to see thousands of children runners which will help spread awareness for prevention of Cardiac Diseases in children while supporting the continued work of the BaiJerbaiWadia Hospital for Children’s Cardiac Surgery Department.”
John Abraham, Bollywood Actor, said, “I am happy to be the brand ambassador of the Wadia Children’s Cardiac Center, which is celebrating the 6th year of Little Hearts Marathon. It is the need of the hour to bring awareness about good health and exercise at a young age itself.
Wadia Children’s Hospital is a pioneer in promoting,preventing and treating cardiac diseases in these little kids. Wishing the team all the very best to continue the good work!”
LIST OF WINNERS:
Delite Run 5kms:
Boys winner:
Mahadev Ashok Kumbhar- 1st Winner
Tejas Pawar 2nd winner
Siddhesh Thorat 3rd Winner
Girls winner:
Aanchal Rajput 1st winner
Aarti yadav 2nd winner
Jasleen Varghese 3rd winner
Dream Run : 2.5km
Boys winner:
Kripa Yadav 1st winner
Sumeet Kanojia 2nd winner
Vikas Rajbhar 3rd winner
Girls Winner:
Parina Khillari 1st winner
Sarita Patel 2nd winner
Tanvi Shinde 3rd Winner
Wish Run: 1km
Boys Winner:
Varad Patil 1st Winner
Rudra Udeshi 2nd winner
Girls Winner:
Sarah Rane 1st winner
Arya Pol 2nd winner
