Purple Run for a Cure! 2000+ Ran for Alzheimer’s Awareness hosted by Forum Mall on Sunday 14, to commemorate ‘World Alzheimer’s Month’
Mangaluru: Being a lazy Sunday while many were still in bed, some snoring, some cuddling with their sweethearts on the bed- but thousands of energetic young and old men and women of Mangaluru and beyond, woke to the alarm set to be in time to join in the “Purple Run” organized by Forum Fiza Mall-Mangaluru, along with other CAUSE partners, to bring awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. September being observed as an “Alzheimer’s Month”, this Run was very befitting to mark ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’ (WAD) which is observed every year on 21st September. This “Purple Run” prior to the WAD, which was aimed at spreading the word on Alzheimer’s disease attracted many citizens, young and old. all running for a good cause.
Taking on a running challenge is a fantastic way not only to raise funds but you’ll also be promoting better health and bring awareness about a disease, and here we are talking about Alzheimer’s disease. After all, exercise and keeping healthy are two of the best things you can do to keep your ticker ticking on! Whether you’re planning on holding your own event, doing a 3 km, 5km, 10 km or a 21 km challenge, or really testing yourself in a marathon, you can make fundraising easy by doing it for better health, and also bringing awareness among the public about various diseases like Alzheimer’s , Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Attacks, and other illness.
The ‘Purple Run” was flagged off early in the morning from the Mall by Fayaz M H, Centre Manager of Forum Mall, which saw children, youth, men and women- and also seniors all enthusiastically taking part and cheering up throughout the run. The roads of Mangaluru was graced by some of the finest long-distance athletes from across the city along with other running enthusiasts who put their best foot forward to achieve the desired goals. It was indeed a Run for a Good Cause- and every drop of sweat from the participants counted. Completing a Run is a great achievement for anybody. However, the possibility of changing somebody’s life being added to every step in your run can give you a sense of pride like no other.
These thousand plus young men and women who took part in the “Run ” did make a difference. They believed and became the change that they wanted to see. They all choose to run with a purpose. They inspired their friends, family and others like themselves to join in the Run for a good cause. For some runners it was quite hectic and tiresome to cover the entire distance by running-so many chose their gears from -Running to Jogging-to Walking, but they all made it to the endpoint, bubbling with enthusiasm, and pride-that they ran for a good cause.
After all it was 8 Malls, and 1 Run for Alzheimer’s- hosted by Forum group which was India’s 1st Ever Run for Alzheimer’s Awareness named “The Purple Run ”. With over 10,000 people running for Alzheimer’s Awareness, at the same time from 8 different Forum Malls, all over South India, is something unique and GREAT. And for the Run organized here in Mangaluru, Kudos to the Management of Forum Fiza Mall- Mangaluru and the organizing committee of this Run for their great initiative, which ended up in a big success and received huge applauds from the participants and crowd that thronged the Forum Mall campus.
The winners in the Run were awarded prizes during the closing ceremony graced by various dignitaries namely- MLA South Vedavyas Kamath, B M Farooq- Chairman and Managing Director of Fiza Group; and Fayaz M H, Centre Manager of Forum Mall, former MCC Corporator Diwakar, T N Shivashankara- Chief Fire Officer-Mangaluru Zone, Lakshmi Ganesh-DCP Crime and Traffic; Deepak Sharma–Area Manager, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd-Mangaluru; Prashanth Kundapur- Manager, Nippon Paint India Ltd-Mangaluru; Mohammed Moideen Kundil-Managing Director-Kanara TMT; Prashanth Shet- Partner-S L Shet Jewellers & Diamond House, Mangaluru, among others. Addressing the gathering MLA Vedavyas Kamath said, “Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, is the 5th leading cause of death in people over 55 years of age, and in India, more than 4 million people suffer from various forms of this illness. Despite this, there’s a stigma attached to mental illnesses amongst us. During vintage years, not many people were affected with Alzheimer’s, but now with our lifestyle, even young people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This initiative by Forum Mall in organizing this Run will surely bring awareness about Alzheimer’ so that people will change their lifestyle for their better health”.
Also speaking, Fayaz M H, Assistant Centre Manager of Forum Mall said, “Since its inception, the Forum group has been conducting many programmes for good causes. The Purple Run is one-of-a-kind which has created awareness of Alzheimer’s. Today we saw a large number of participants running for a good cause. There are cash prizes for over Rs. 1.5 lakhs and gift hampers which we are handing over to the winners. And remember, this Run was not for just the trained people-This Run was for everyone! And looking at the participants, we have proved it. Thanks for making this Run a grand success”. B M Farooq also spoke and briefed about Alzheimer’s and urged the audience to start a healthy lifestyle and live a healthy life. The event was compered by RJ Anurag Bangera, a Coastalwood actor, who entertained the crowd with his punchlines and professionalism. There were a few games, among which was a quiz, where the participants had to name the stores in Forum Mall- the person who pointed out a large number of stores, won the prize.
Winner Details:- 10 km-Male- Basavaraj, YN Sankrepp and Lakshmesha;10 km – Female- Priya LD, Chaitra and Sandhya KJ; 5 km – Male- Milan, Lakshman and Rakshith; 5 km – Female- Harshitha, Deeksha and Jayalaxmi
So knowing the ill effects of Alzheimer’s let us all join to make “Mangaluru an Alzheimer’s Free City” and also make it an “Alzheimer’s/Dementia Friendly!
Did you forget to run?
Oh my gosh.