Sri M Rajesh Chandra, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police Will Flag off The Run
Whitathon Run, initiated in 2018, is L V Prasad Eye Institute’s annual cause-related event focusing on raising awareness and funds for early diagnosis and treatment of Retinoblastoma – a Life and Vision-threatening Eye Cancer in Children. One of the most common symptoms of Retinoblastoma is White Reflex (white glow) in a child’s eye. Through this run, LVPEI aims to raise awareness among the public that if they spot a ‘White Reflex’ in a child’s eye, it could be a sign of eye cancer that needs immediate medical intervention. The funds raised through this run, helps the Institute to provide free treatment to children from underprivileged families who have retinoblastoma.
The first edition of the run was organized in 2018 with 2000+ runners, the second edition in 2019 had 2500+ runners, and the third edition (virtual run) in 2021 had 350+ runners. With the funds raised, LVPEI has been able to provide free treatment to children with retinoblastoma who come from underprivileged backgrounds. The treatment for eye cancer is very expensive and happens over a longer duration.
The Fourth Edition of the WHITATHON RUN will be organized on 8 May 2022, Sunday, at People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, Hyderabad. Like every year, this year too Hyderabad Runners is supporting this run. There are three categories in the run – 3km (fun run), 5Km (timed run) and 10km (timed run). The run will be flagged off by Sri M Rajesh Chandra, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Dr Swathi Kaliki, Ocular Oncologist and Head - Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer at L V Prasad Eye Institute says, "We extend our sincere thanks to Sri M Rajesh Chandra, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, for joining us for the run.
We also acknowledge and extend our sincere thanks to our Diamond Sponsor: GTN Industries Ltd.; Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd.; Alcon Laboratories (India) Pvt. Ltd.; our Gold Sponsors: National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) Ltd.; Gebauer Medizintechnik GMBH; Techwave Consulting Pvt. Ltd.; Optimus Drugs Pvt. Ltd.; our Silver Sponsors: Joyalukkas Foundation; Vision Rx Lab Pvt. Ltd.; Essilor India Pvt. Ltd.; Aswini Homeo & Ayurvedic Products Pvt. Ltd.; Biomedix Optotechnik & Devices Pvt Ltd.; and our Bronze Sponsor: Entod Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; Neyon Lens; and Phonographic Performance Limited. We also would like to thank our other supporters: Delta Lens Pvt. Ltd; Asian Surgical Company; Acuitic Consulting Engineers; Alankar Traders; Axis Bank Ltd; and Om Tao Scientific Apparatus.”
The t-shirt for the fourth edition of Whitathon was unveiled by India’s pride – two-time Olympic medallist and world champion, Badminton Player Padma Bhushan Awardee P V Sindhu. The unveiling event also had a video message from VVS Laxman, Head Coach, National Cricket Academy, and a long-time supporter of Whitathon
Need to raise awareness:
- Retinoblastoma (eye cancer) most commonly affects children below 3 years of age (90%)
- 20 to 25% of cases of eye cancer worldwide in children are from India, and 50% of cases worldwide lose their lives due to late detection and inadequate treatment
- Retinoblastoma is curable if the tumour is detected and treated early; thus saving the life, eye, and vision of the child
- Over the past decade, LVPEI has treated more than 2000 patients with retinoblastoma eye cancer
- Though it was possible to save the life of the child in 90% of the cases, the eyesight of the child could be saved in only 45% of the cases, the reason being late presentation of the case
- Hence, it is important to raise awareness about the common symptoms of retinoblastoma in children and educate the public (specially young parents) on the importance of seeking timely medical care
Need to raise funds:
- Retinoblastoma treatment is expensive and long in duration
- Over 60 to 65% of patient families cannot afford the expense of the treatment
- Thanks to the funds received from such cause-related events and donations, LVPEI is able to provide free treatment to children from underprivileged families
About LVPEI: Established in 1987, L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness, is a comprehensive eye health facility. The Institute has ten functional arms to its areas of operations: Clinical Services, Education, Research, Vision Rehabilitation, Rural and Community Eye Health, Eye Banking, Advocacy and Policy Planning, Capacity Building, Innovation and Product Development. The LVPEI Eye Care Network has 262 Centres spread across the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka in India. The institute's mission is to provide equitable and quality eye care to all sections of society. The LVPEI’s five-tier ‘Eye Health Pyramid’ model covering all sections of society right from the villages to the city, provides high quality and comprehensive - prevention, curative and rehabilitation – eye care to all. It has served over 32.11 million (3 crore 21 lakh people), with more than 50% of them entirely free of cost, irrespective of the complexity of care needed.