The official launch ceremony took place on the morning of 1/3 at Thong Nhat Park, Hanoi. Attendees included representatives from the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment (Ministry of Health), the Vietnam Young Physicians' Association, doctors from various hospitals, and specialized medical units. The event expects to attract 5,000 participants. The registration fee is 100,000 VND per person, with all proceeds directly supporting children living with rare diseases and those facing difficult circumstances.
The "Run for Rare Kids" race is held virtually, tracking participants' achievements over one month on the vRace online sports application. Participants can run or walk anywhere, with each completed kilometer helping to spread awareness for the campaign.
Serving as ambassadors, Miss H'Hen Nie and musician Hua Kim Tuyen act as bridges to spread the program's humanitarian message. H'Hen Nie shared stories of the young patients' resilience, while musician Hua Kim Tuyen used music to connect participants with the journey of supporting children with rare diseases.
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The 'Run for Rare Kids' online race supports children living with rare diseases. |
Beyond a sporting event, the race aims to generate additional social resources for this specific patient group, who often have limited access to treatment. AstraZeneca Vietnam Limited Company is the main sponsor, with supporting partners including: WellCare CS Group Vietnam Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Joint Stock Company, Lac Viet Hospital System, FPT Polytechnic College, and the FPT For Community Fund.
In Vietnam, rare diseases are not truly "rare" in terms of patient numbers. The Vietnam Medical Association estimates that about 6 million people are living with complex genetic and metabolic disorders. A common characteristic of these conditions is the high cost of treatment, with many medications either unavailable or not covered by health insurance.
For impoverished families, a child diagnosed with a rare disease can feel like a never-ending financial burden. Some infants are hospitalized from birth, undergoing dozens of chemotherapy sessions or blood transfusions monthly.
"Individuals and businesses participating in this program help provide additional treatment costs for these children, making practical contributions to healthcare, while also raising and spreading social awareness about rare diseases and ongoing medical challenges", a representative from the Hope Foundation stated.
The Hope Foundation is a non-profit social fund licensed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and operated by VnExpress newspaper and FPT Group. The foundation has undertaken numerous community support projects, focusing on education and healthcare. Its "Sun of Hope" program, launched in 2021, aims to improve the quality of life and healthcare for thousands of children in Vietnam suffering from serious illnesses and difficult circumstances.
Supporting children living with rare diseases and disadvantaged children in general is a core activity of the "Sun of Hope" program. Every act of community solidarity brings a ray of hope to the nation's future generation. Readers can support the program here:
Program name: Ten cua ban - Mat troi Hy vong
Program ID: 195961
Nga Thanh
