CEBU, Philippines — After the cancellation in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Rotary Club of Cebu has finally put in place the fourth Citrineland Run for Gift of Life on May 7 at Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, this Cebu.
This event is for the benefit of less fortunate children with congenital heart disease (CHD).
The Gift of Life program of the Rotary Club of Cebu had been existing for 12 years now after being introduced by Rotary International.
So far, the Rotary Club of Cebu has supported 160 children with CHD to get a new lease on life and hopes to help more thru this run.
“A simple congenital heart defect, if left untreated, guarantees one thing–a very short and unproductive life, yet a very simple operation to correct the anomaly can ensure a more normal and long-lasting life for this life,” said Rotary Club of Cebu’s president-elect Walter Kang during the event’s press conference.
It may be called “simple,” but each surgery could cost over a hundred thousand and over a million pesos if the condition gets worse that is why organizers are knocking on good-hearted persons to join the event, if not, help out in whatever way they can.
There will be five distances to choose from this time–1, 3, 5, 10 and 21 kilometers which had been included for the first time.
The shorter distances or the 1 to 5-kilometer action will have individual and tandem categories. The tandem should have an adult runner and a child, but not necessarily a parent-child tandem.
In its return, participants are encouraged to take part in the four-year run cycle especially those in the 10-km and 21-km divisions as their finisher’s medal will be transformed it into a big medal that shows a heart at the center once completed after four years.
The medal will serve as a reminder of one’s efforts in helping a child with CHD.
The four-year cycle is also symbolic of CHD patients’ usual span of time spent from diagnosis to recovery.
For those interested, one may register thru https://www.megatechph.com/events/gift-of-life
While other inquiries may be emailed to April Juarbal of Rotary Club of Cebu at rotaryclubofcebu@gmail.com.