By Leah Gondi-Gondi and Grace Wekesa
Hundreds of Kenyans on Saturday turned out for the annual Mater Heart run concurrently held in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kakamega counties.
This year’s run will see several children who require corrective heart surgery and others who need testing for heart defects have a smile on their face.
The run’s target is to raise money for a fund that helps children with cardiac problems get surgery to survive.
Flag off
Speaking before the run’s flag off at Nyayo National Stadium the Standard Group CEO, Sam Shollei expressed gratitude to all participants and urged more Kenyans to turn up in support of the noble cause.
He said he would ensure the media is used to highlight such issues to do with cardiac problems since poor families might not know how to go about it when their children are faced with cardiac problems.
“I am glad to say that I will ensure we educate Kenyans through the media on health matters especially when it comes to a delicate organ like the heart,” said Shollei.
He added he is positive the funds will exceed the Sh50 million target to the Sh100 million mark.
Mater Hospital Marketing Director Lawrence Muiga said last year there were about 43,OOO participants while this year saw over 50,OOO participants.
“We had about 43,000 participants last year and we saw over 50,000 this year given all the t-shirts we’ve sold,” said Muiga.
He noted that a large number of Kenya’s children suffer from cardiac problems that often require open-heart surgery. The surgery is available in Kenya but it is often too expensive for many to afford, meaning that lives are lost where they should be saved.
Speaking on behalf of Safaricom’s Marketing Manager, Rita Okudhe said that the run is set to raise funds for children in need of heart surgery, and gives a welcome chance to donate to the future of Kenya, while enjoying the challenge of the run.
Partnership
The Standard Group has once again partnered with Capital Group Limited, Safaricom and National Social Security Fund to raise this year’s target of Sh65 million for treatment of heart surgeries in Kenya and overseas.
The Mombasa county government has also made an undertaking to support the?Mater Heart Run event.
Speaking at the Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) yesterday , Mombasa County ?Deputy Governor, Ms Hazel Katana said that the event was important and should be supported by all.
In Mumias hopes of a 12-year-old boy in Bumula, Bungoma County living with a heart condition were elated as thousands took to the road for The Mater Heart Run.
Frankline Simiyu who was diagnosed with a heart condition has interrupted his studies at Mateka Primary School to seek medical attention.
However, Electin Waswa, Simiyu’s mother says the family has been unable to raise funds to take him for the treatment and are now hoping that the Mater Hospital will consider him to be one of those who will benefit from the noble cause.
