Bengaluru, India – February 23, 2025 – The Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its flagship Racefor7 event, uniting over 8,300 participants across 21 Indian cities to raise awareness and support for rare diseases. The 7-kilometer run, held in commemoration of World Rare Diseases Day (February 28th), aimed to improve access to treatment and resources for patients and their families.
The Bengaluru run, flagged off by renowned actress Shweta R Prasad, saw over 3,000 participants at St. Joseph Indian High School Ground. Since its inception in Bengaluru in 2016, Racefor7 has grown into a nationwide movement, this year adopting the theme “For Rare, everywhere.” Simultaneous runs took place in cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and many others.
Prasanna Shirol, Co-founder and Board Director of ORDI, expressed gratitude for the widespread support, emphasizing the event’s role in amplifying the voice of the rare disease community and driving engagement with policymakers. He highlighted the collaboration with 25 patient advocacy groups and over 30 medical institutions, including Centers of Excellence for Rare Diseases.
Dr. Ann Agnes Mathew, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Neuromuscular Specialist, emphasized the need for increased government support, particularly for Group 3 rare diseases, and the importance of early intervention.
Shweta R Prasad, who has been involved with ORDI for 10 years, acknowledged the growth of the movement and the increasing awareness of rare diseases, while stressing the need for continued public and governmental support.
A representative from Roche, the event’s main sponsor, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting ORDI’s mission and working towards equitable healthcare access for rare disease patients.
Racefor7 strives to drive policy change and improve treatment access through awareness, advocacy, and collaboration, ultimately aiming to accelerate diagnosis and improve healthcare solutions for the rare disease community in India.
