He runs miles to spread awareness on health
As part of the Day for Dubai initiative, Khaleej Times brings you stories of devoted heroes in our community who dedicate their time to support others through their skills and expertise. These individuals offer their time to benefit our community and its
Weighing in over 126kg, 34-year-old Khaled Al Suwaidi was on the verge of a health crisis. Faced with a future of diabetes, high cholesterol and a range of other symptoms, Khaled decided to radically turn his life around, focusing on losing weight and improving his overall health and wellbeing. Working tirelessly on improving his lifestyle and fitness, Khaled, now a father of two, not only lost over 57Kg in the last three years, but has also become an ardent supporter of healthy lifestyles, physical activity and cancer support and awareness. Khaled has taken his power of endurance to new levels by becoming the first Emirati to run 327 kilometres from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi to support cancer sufferers and to help inspire youth.
An executive director at the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, Khaled said: “My life was touched by cancer, first by the passing away of my grandfather and again in 2003, when my father Dr Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi was diagnosed with T cell lymphoma, and at one stage given just two weeks to live. After a three-year long battle, my father overcame the disease and watching him stand up to the disease inspired a determination within me to never give up and continuously push forward.”
In February, Khaled undertook one of the most challenging experiences. “I made the decision to run from Fujairah to Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi in three days, to raise awareness to the cancer charity, Rahma, led by my father. Formed almost three years ago by the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi and my father, Rahma, which means compassion or mercy in Arabic, aims to undo the stigma associat- ed with losing hope or being unwilling or afraid to ask for help. Rahma provides care, services and information to help patients receive the best treatment and information possible, while educating the community regarding types, causes and preventions.”
Rahma Run, an ultramarathon, was no easy challenge, especially for Khaled as he had never even run a regular marathon before. “It was with the strength of my supporters, and the amazing people involved with Rahma and their stories, I persevered in my journey from one coast to another, and completed the 327KM run in just over three days and eight hours,” Khaled said.
Although you cannot compare a long distance run to battling cancer, Khaled said: “The similarity between the run and the disease is that this run was trying to defeat me; it was trying to break me on every single step and it is the same with cancer — if you are not strong and willing to defeat it, it will defeat you. And that was what made the run so memorable to me. Having to face an internal battle and overcoming it with the realisation that the run was not just about myself, but
My personal transformation from a 126kg man to the first person to run non-stop from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, is proof that if you put your mind to making a change, it is possible.” Khaled Al Suwaidi
about the cause, and my pain was only temporary compared to what patients and their families deal with daily.”
Giving out his message, Khaled said: “If you want to do something, then do it, and if you’re running for a cause, that is a great motivation. My personal transformation from a 126kg man to the first person to run non-stop from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, is proof that if you put your mind to making a change, personally or in society, it is possible and you should never let yourself become trapped in your comfort zone.”
Khaled, who is preparing for his next run from Abu Dhabi to Makkah in Saudi Arabia, said: “I also plan on speaking in schools across the country, to raise awareness about obesity and to inspire students to reach their fullest potential, as you cannot look after others if you struggle to look after yourself. I believe that involving the youth in causes such as newly launched Day for Dubai, which encourages community members to dedicate at least one day to giving back, is a fantastic way to foster the true UAE spirit.”