RunKuwait race takes place this Saturday at The Scientific Center
KUWAIT: Kuwait Times conducted the following interview with Dr Elham Hamdan, Medical Director at the Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network; organizers of the RunKuwait marathon which takes place this Saturday at The Scientific Center.
Kuwait Times: When was the RunKuwait initiative founded?
Dr Hamdan: Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network (FSHN) founded the RunKuwait initiative in 2010 to support local community initiatives and since 2013, the RunKuwait dedicated all its efforts for the treatment of children with disabilities at the Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC) founded by FSHN. The race is launched this year with a new name, RunKuwait and the essence of our race remains the same but we definitely have an intensified goal of raising awareness and funds for the treatment of children with disabilities who do not have access to appropriate healthcare.
KT: Tell us more about the cause supported by RunKuwait?
Dr Hamdan: The proceeds from the event registration are channeled through the Children Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center, which was established as part of FSHN due to the community’s need of facilities offering multidisciplinary care for children with disability. Last year, we were able to provide free treatment to 20 percent of the children and provide subsidized treatment to 60 percent of the children at the CERC. The CERC unit provides treatment to children with different disabilities including: developmental delays, abnormal skeletal development, sports injuries, traumatic injuries, post-operative rehabilitation and burns, speech issues, language problems, attentional deficits and behavioral issues, psychological concerns, preterm infants and children in need of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
KT: Can interested participants register on the race day?
Dr Hamdan: Our online registration for timed race distances for both the 5km and 10km race distance has closed. However, on the day of the race we are welcoming participants who want to join a fun run or walk for both distances and spend a fun-filled morning with family and friends at the race village. All participants will be receiving their participation medal and gift bags for supporting the initiative and our cause. Participants who had registered online can still collect their race bibs and t-shirts today from The Promenade mall in Hawally, between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm.