Cancer Prevention message of Dandamudi Global Grace Cancer Run, reckon across 130 countries in six continents!

Press Release

• 10-10-2022

·    Shri Stephen Raveendra flags off the run

·     Grace Cancer Foundation hosts the fifth edition of the global run

·    Over one lakh participants join the cancer awareness run across the globe

·    The theme of this year’s run was ‘Run the extra mile to gift a smile’

·    Global Grace Cancer Run recognized with two Coveted Guinness World Records

Hyderabad, 9th October 2022: The Fifth edition of the World’s largest cancer awareness and Guinness Record holding run, the Dandamudi Global Grace Cancer Run – 2022, was flagged off formally by Shri Stephen Raveendra, Police commissioner of Cyberabad Metropolitan Police; today at Gachibowli stadium. Dr Avanindra Dandamudi, Managing Director, Dandamudi Biotech; Dr Sridhar Susarla from Washington DC; Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli, Robotic Surgical Oncologist and CEO, Grace Cancer Foundation; Sunitha Krishnan, Social Activist; D. Rajeshwar Rao, MLC; Divya Devarajan, Secretary, Human & Child welfare Department, Telangana and Mr Niranjan Raj, Race Director, Grace Cancer Run; graced the occasion. The Hyderabad part of the run was held within the Gachibowli stadium. Dandamudi Global Grace Cancer Run with the theme ‘Run the extra mile to gift a smile’ was held across the globe in the hybrid formats of both physical and virtual run, enabling participants to choose as per their convenience between the two. Over one lakh participants of all ages, genders, colour, creed from across 130 plus countries expressed unprecedented support to the war against cancer.  

The winners in the various run categories were, in 10K Run for Men Naveen clocked 00.32.00 mins; Ramesh B, 00.35.00 and Vangala Dhanush, 00.36.25. In 10K Run for Women Suparna clocked 00.50.56 mins; Chaitra, 00.53.44 and Jwalitha, 00.57.50. In 21K Run for Men Ramesh Chandra clocked 01.40.35; Kamal Jain, 01.44.18 and Pericherla Raju, 01.47.16. In 21K Run for Women Navya clocked 01.40.35; Rashmi Sudhir, 02.23.48 and Sunitha Pucha, 02.27.22.

In 2020, the Grace Cancer Run won the coveted Guinness World Records on two counts of, most live viewers for a female health awareness lesson on YouTube and most videos of people running/ jogging uploaded to Facebook in one hour and is proactively aspiring for more recognitions this year.

Shri Stephen Ravindra speaking on the occasion said, Big number of enthusiasts are participating despite heavy rains in the Global Grace Cancer Run. it’s a good cause for which Dr Chinnababu is conducting the marathon. it’s wonderful to see so many enthusiasts so early in the morning eagerly waiting to participate in a run of this scale. It shows pandemic hasn’t killed enthusiasm, which is a very healthy sign. They are all here for a cause which is noble and that cause being cancer awareness is all the more exciting and heartening.

Grace Cancer Foundation, a charity organisation, working towards providing succour to cancer patients, has initiated Grace Cancer Run, to raise public awareness against cancer, its prevention and early detection, with the moto ‘No patients should be deprived of treatment for lack of financial support.’ Participants in the Run instil immense confidence and hope of cancer being conquerable, among cancer patients. The funds mobilised from the run will be utilised to provide Cancer Screening across rural India and care for needy patients diagnosed with cancer, besides conducting virtual Cancer awareness program and spreading knowledge across the globe.

Extremely delighted at my initiative to spread cancer awareness in a small way five years ago turning into an unprecedented movement across the globe with participants from 130 countries volunteering to spread the message of cancer prevention, says Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli. Cancer is preventable with modifications in lifestyle and diet, besides by adopting regular exercise. Early detection of Cancer can nip the disease in formation stage. It is time we spread the word that cancer is conquerable and no Cancer patient need to be depressed, he needs to fight against the disease and win against it, he added. Dandamudi Global Grace Cancer Run – 2022, has created even bigger awareness this year than the previous and has reached many more who are ignorant about cancer and its debilitating impact. This success despite heavy rains yesterday night in Hyderabad, makes us to pursue the mission of cancer awareness with reinforced vigour till the entire world knows about the repercussions of cancer. 

Dandamudi Global Grace Cancer Run 2022 is India’s contribution to the world against the dreadful Cancer. This weapon in the form of a global run will sensitize the world to combat the killer disease and help reduce the incidence of cancer, says Dr Niranjan Raj, Race Director, Grace Cancer Foundation. We thank all the participants for coming and participating in large numbers despite the heavy downpour yesterday night.

Dr Avanindra Dandamudi said, Grace Cancer Foundation has been doing wonderful work for several years now, we did our bit to the cause this year and are delighted at the massive success of Dandamudi Global Grace Cancer Run – 2022. The immense awareness it has created about cancer prevention and cure available, mitigates the panic about cancer in the public. This sensitization should help reduce the cancer burden and enable the world to get over the dreaded disease. 

The Run was conducted in three different categories of, 5K, 10K and 21.1K (Half Marathon). Each participant was provided with an ‘e-bib’ (a personalized, printable picture). Those participating in the virtual run logged on to activity Apps of their choice like Strava for recording the run. On completion of the run, they posted the distance of the run along with a selfie or photograph with the bib on the chest to enable the organizers to record their participation. The winners were given exciting prizes of Rs 10,000 for 1st Prize; Rs 6,000 for 2nd Prize and Rs 3,000 for 3rd Prize.

The overwhelming response for the run this year, is heartening. Early detection and lifestyle modification are key to conquering cancer. A physical activity like running is strongly advocated for all age groups to prevent cancer and stay healthy. The world is just waking up to this simple and profound truth, says Dr Prameela Sunkavalli.

Divya Devarajan said, Grace Cancer Foundation has been working very hard to build awareness and treat  cancer among underprivileged people. I hope you only grow and grow and wish to see amazing results from your work.

Neelima a cancer survivor said, I completed my cancer treatment four months ago and I am here today leading a normal life with the support of my family and doctors. I am here to support the cause espoused by Dr Chinnababu, early detection and prevention of cancer. I was able to detect cancer early, I came for a check-up and discovered that I had breast cancer and because of early detection the recovery was easy for me. I led a healthy lifestyle including participating in running events, that could be another reason for early recovery. My advice to everyone is to eat well, exercise well and go for annual check-ups to lead a beautiful life.

Social Activist Sunitha Krishnan said, Winning Padmashri is as inspiring as seeing each one of the cancer survivors standing here, each of yours is an inspiring story because you inspired by look at this issue closely. I was diagnosed with lung cancer this year in April and had remarkable recovery and here I am standing before you, largely because of two things, one I had an early detection, two is my amazing Doctor, Dr Chinnababu, Dr Vijayanand Reddy, Dr Hemanth. Throughout the entire journey of conquering cancer one thing I realised is that the best cancer management is only through early detection and early detection is possible only through better awareness. Today you stand before me as leaders, changemakers, influencers who are set to change the mindset of the society. Let this not be just a run for you, where you got a nice medal, but what is going to be more important is how you are going to take this message back to your families, friends and people around you. Let’s together make the society cancer free. Thanks to Grace Cancer Foundation, Dr Chinnababu, Pramila and the entire gang, please give a big round of applause to grace cancer foundation, because today when you ran, ran for all those underprivileged who cannot afford free screening, each one of you contributed to this cause.  

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