AR
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Dubai Science Park (DSP) will host the third edition of ‘WeWalk’ on Saturday in collaboration with the UAE Rare Disease Society.
The annual charitable walkathon is open to residents of all ages and abilities across the emirate. The event is aimed at encouraging a broader understanding of the difficulties faced by individuals suffering from rare disease and how to overcame those challenges to emerge winners.
As part of the walkathon, participants will be required to cover a distance of 3 km. They can choose to walk, sprint or jog the course with their friends and family. The organisers will also arrange wheelchair courses for all distances. Furthermore, every participant will be felicitated with a goody bag containing a T-shirt, cap and wristband along with refreshments on the event day.
According to the Centre of Arab Genomic Studies, the Middle East has the highest prevalence of rare disease in the world. An estimated 2.8 million patients are suffering from a rare disease in the region, with most cases taking place as a result of consanguineous marriages as well as advanced maternal and paternal age.
According to organisers, events like 'WeWalk' are aimed at addressing the silence and stigma around rare disease. Such events further help in enhancing infrastructure for diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. At the same time, they encourage collaboration between all stakeholders and the community at large.
The organisers added that the proceeds from registration for the event will go towards the development of awareness programmes and boosting support to minimise the challenges faced by patients. Various initiatives will include the creation of a database of rare diseases and enhancing access to specialists, diagnostics and treatments. Attendees are also welcome to donate blood during this year's events in partnership with Dubai Health Authority’s Blood Donation Centre (DBDC).
Education With awareness
Marwan Abdul Aziz, DSP’s Managing Director, expressed pleasure in leading the charge to support innovation in the scines and contributing to the development of an inclusive society.
He explained that the DSP covers a host of sectors including health and wellness, pharma and life sciences to demonstrate the ethos of collaboration. Furthermore, it has partnered with the region’s leading healthcare champions to deliver sustainable solutions for community members in needed.
"We are pleased to be joining forces with UAE Rare Disease Society to support this worthy cause and look forward to playing a key role in enhancing education and awareness of the conditions," Marwan said.
A part of the proceeds will also be sent to UAE Rare Disease Society - through their charity partner Beit Al Khair Society. The goal of the initiative is to expand awareness and create education programmes for different individuals linked to the cause.
People are welcome to register for the upcoming WeWalk event and donate via the WeWalk website.
Participating partners
Mohamed Ezz Eldin, President and Head of Gulf Cluster, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, expressed the organisation's commitment to addressing the unmet medical needs of the community members. The pharma is continuously researching and developmenting solutions to address rare disease.
"Our purpose to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives hinges on collaborations with the UAE Rare disease society to raise awareness, support patient societies, and become a trusted partner," Ezz Eldin added.
Jean-Paul Scheuer, MCO Lead and General Manager Specialty Care for Sanofi Greater Gulf, also expressed happiness towards supporting the rare disease community.
"Rare disease patients encounter lifelong challenges, and Sanofi is committed to providing them with the care and support they need – both through pushing the frontiers of science to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes and through fostering a supportive community to fight the social stigma that patients and their families experience," Scheuer said.
SOURCE: Gulf News