Hyderabad, April 19, 2022: India’s pride – two-time Olympic medallist and world champion, Badminton Player Padma Bhushan Awardee P V Sindhu, will be doing the honors of unveiling the T-shirt for the WHITATHON RUN organized by L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI). The event will also have a message from VVS Laxman, Head Coach, National Cricket Academy, and a long-time supporter of Whitathon. Whitathon is a cause-related run organized by LVPEI to raise awareness and funds for children with retinoblastoma (eye cancer).
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 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). To register for the run, click – https://www.ifinish.in/event_details/_Whitathon_Hyderabad_2022
Dr Swathi Kaliki, Ocular Oncologist and Head - Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer at L V Prasad Eye Institute said, "We extend our sincere thanks to PV Sindhu for being the Guest of Honour for the Whitathon T-shirt unveiling. We are sure with her support we will be able to make this event a great success and together ensure that - No child dies of eye cancer because of lack of awareness and treatment. Our sincere thanks also to VVS Laxman who has been supporting the run since its inception and helping us spread awareness about 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.
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
Dr Swathi Kaliki further added that it is time to make detailed eye check-ups a part of mandatory paediatric examinations. Parents and physicians should be educated about symptoms that could otherwise be easily dismissed as an infection. There is a need for increased awareness about this life-threatening disease among parents and the community at large.
Along with PV Sindhu, the T-shirt will be unveiled by Mr Kashinath Bhoosnurmath, President & CEO, Operation Eyesight Universal; Dr Gullapalli N Rao – Founder and Chair Board of Trustees, L V Prasad Eye Institute; Dr Swathi Kaliki, Ocular Oncologist and Head - Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer, L V Prasad Eye Institute; Dr Rajeev Reddy, Vice-Chair, L V Prasad Eye Institute; and Dr Merle Fernandes, Director, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute
We would like to acknowledge and extend our sincere thanks to our Diamond Sponsor: GTN Industries Ltd; our Gold Sponsors: Gebauer Medizintechnik GMBH, Techwave Consulting Pvt Ltd, National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) Ltd, Optimus Drugs Pvt Ltd; our Silver Sponsors: Joyalukkas Foundation, Vision Rx Lab Pvt Ltd and Nova Eyewear and Essilor India Pvt Ltd; and our Bronze Sponsor: Biomedix Optotechnik & Devices Pvt Ltd and Entod Pharmaceuticals Ltd. We also would like to thank our other supporters: Delta Lens Pvt Ltd, Acuitic Consulting Engineers, Asian Surgical Company and Asian Engineering Company, Alankar Traders and Om Tao Scientific Apparatus.
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.