The Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) recently hosted the 10th edition of its annual awareness run, Racefor7. This seven-kilometer marathon aims to spread awareness about rare diseases and improve access to medical treatment and resources for patients and their families. This year, more than 8,300 people, including patients and caregivers, participated in the event across 21 cities.
In Hyderabad, the run began at 6 a.m. on Sunday from Sanjeevaiah Park, Necklace Road. Since its first event in Bengaluru in 2016, Racefor7 has grown into a nationwide movement. This year’s theme, “For Rare, Everywhere,” highlighted the need for awareness across the country. The run was conducted in multiple cities, including Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and several others.
Racefor7 is held every year to mark World Rare Diseases Day, which takes place on the last day of February. The goal of this global initiative is to educate the public and policymakers about the difficulties faced by people living with rare diseases. In 2025, World Rare Diseases Day will be observed on Friday, February 28.
Speaking about the event, Prasanna Shirol, co-founder and Board Director of ORDI, expressed his gratitude to participants from Bengaluru and 20 other cities. He emphasized that the support from people across the country strengthens the voice of the rare disease community and helps in reaching policymakers and other stakeholders.
Madhana Gopal, Chief Operating Officer of ORDI, also highlighted the importance of Racefor7. He explained that the event provides a platform for patients to share their experiences. Raising awareness about rare diseases helps reduce stigma, improve access to care, promote early diagnosis, encourage research, and support the development of new treatments. He added that organizing the event in 21 cities this year was a step toward uniting and empowering the rare disease community across India.
