UAE support for condition that afflicted the Founding Father

The Zayed Charity Marathon raises awareness about a disease that afflicts many in US and the UAE.

Funds go to the National Kidney Foundation in the US in a partnership that in one way stems from the kidney transplant that the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, received there.

Since 2005 more than US$1 million (Dh3.6m) has been raised from direct donations and by the runners.

Kevin Longino, the chief executive of the foundation, told The National that the UAE-sponsored marathon had helped to raise awareness among hundreds of thousands of people.

“You see people throughout the year out jogging with their UAE jerseys,” Mr Longino said.

“But the race also lets people know it’s an international problem and one that crosses a lot of cultures.”

The race is also known as the UAE Healthy Kidney 10-kilometre run, which was first held in 2005. The foundation is a non-profit organisation stretching back 60 years with dozens of offices across the country.

It aims to prevent kidney disease, increase transplant organ availability and boost awareness. The foundation also collaborates with the UAE and shares information through conferences about how to fight the disease.

“Every demographic is affected by kidney disease and this is a universal issue,” Mr Longino said. “We are trying to raise awareness that the US needs to recognise this problem and with others countries saying we recognise this too, then that helps.”

Diabetes is a huge contributory factor for kidney disease and the UAE has one of the highest rates of Type 2 diabetes in the world. The International Diabetes Federations estimates that about a million people could have diabetes in the UAE.

Kidney disease can ultimately lead to dialysis or a kidney transplant. About 2,000 patients in the UAE receive regular dialysis treatment for kidney disease.

Last year, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi completed its first kidney transplant. At the time it said the UAE was making significant progress in the legal framework surrounding organ transplants with the National Organ Transplant Committee developing a system to allow residents to register as possible donors.

A UAE delegation – including Gen Mohammed Al Kaabi, the chairman of the UAE Armed Forces Officers Club; Mohammed Al Habtoor, the vice chairman of the Al Habtoor Group; and representatives from sports and government bodies in the UAE – visited the foundation in New York last Friday to hear about the positive impact of funds raised by the race and to mark the Year of Zayed.