Children, Film Actors, Sportstars, Doctors, Fitness Enthusiasts & IT Professionals Participate In Large Numbers

Funds Raised To Be Used For Treatment Of Pediatric Cancer Patients And Building An Exclusive Pediatric Ward
At Cancer Institute [WIA], Adyar

Chennai, 7th Jan 2018: About 4000 runners including film actors, sporting personalities, professionals from medicine, fitness and wellness industry and Information Technology participated in the Dawn 2 Dusk Chennai Marathon 2018, organized by Neville Endeavours Foundation earlier this morning. Over 500 children accompanied by their parents participated in the Kids Run, demonstrating their commitment to individual fitness and support to the highly-deserving cause of charities for treatment of pediatric cancer patients at The Cancer Institute [WIA], Adyar, Chennai.

The full marathon was flagged off by Dr Kannan Pugazhendi and Mr Shahid Kandrikar, President, The Chennai Runners. The Half-Marathon and the 10 KM Run was flagged off by Actor Arvind Swamy and Asst DGP Dr Sylendra Babu, IPS. Dr V Shanta, Chairman, The Cancer Institute [WIA] flagged off the Kids Run, the fourth component of the running segment of D2D 2018. The Cycling component of the D2D 2018 was flagged off by Dr Sylendra Babu, IPS.

Mr Neville Bilimoria, who holds Limca Book of Records for participation in Marathons and Cycling Events, ran in the full marathon category as also in the 100 KM PLUS cycling category. Mr Neville Bilimoria has run in several marathons all over the world and is a fitness enthusiast himself. Besides, Mr Neville Bilimoria has been instrumental in inspiring several others to take to running, including actor Mr

Arvind Swami, hotelier Mr Vikram Cotah of GRT Hotels & Resorts, being two of them. ADGP Dr Sylendra Babu IPS is yet another real life example of a policeman renowned for his fitness regimen and demonstrated his commitment to fitness by participating in the 10KM Run as also in the 100 KM Cycling event.

Funds raised through the 6th Edition of Dawn To Dusk Marathon 2018 [D2D 2018] will be utilized for treatment of pediatric patients at Cancer Institute [WIA] Adyar, especially from the economically challenged sections of the society” declared Mr Neville Bilimoria, Founder, Dawn to Dusk Marathon concept and Neville Endeavours Foundation.

In her message to the organizers, participants and runners, Dr V Shanta, Chairman, Cancer Institute [WIA], Adyar stated that while advancements in medicine has increased the chances of cancer cure, unhealthy lifestyles, indiscriminate eating habits and tobacco use still lead the reasons for contracting cancer. “65% of children afflicted with cancer are cured completely today and able to lead normal lives, something unheard of 50 years ago. The Cancer Institute [WIA], Adyar offers state-of-the-art medical facilities, comparable to the best in the world and these services are offered COMPLETELY FREE to people from weaker sections of the society. Infrastructure and donations play a crucial role in our mission to rid people of the deadly disease and people like Mr Neville Bilimoria play a vital role in our efforts to combat the malaise” said Dr V Shanta.

Mr Neville J Bilimoria, Founder, Neville Endeavours Foundation, the NGO behind this annual feature in Chennai’s running calendar, stated with pride the commitment and dedication of each of the partners and stakeholders to the D2D marathons. “The primary objective of D2D marathons is to create awareness on keeping good health through running and cycling. D2D is an initiative by like-minded souls who have come forward to bring awareness towards worthy causes and to raise funds mainly to support worthy causes. Through the earlier 5 editions of D2D, Neville Endeavors Foundation raised a total of Rs. 2.12 crores and donated the proceeds for care of cerebral palsy affected children, Round Table India for building class rooms and toilets for school children etc. D2D has also inspired many runners to run for a cause for the underprivileged children and to support many charitable organizations. This year D2D team will be raising funds towards children affected by Cancer towards their treatment and towards building an exclusive pediatric ward through a long term project for the underprivileged children” Mr Bilimoria stated.

D2D mission is to contribute for the treatment of the needy who are suffering from the Cancer disease and towards building a ward at the Cancer Institute.

A cause is to support the Cancer institute (WIA) Adyar. The Cancer Institute was founded by Dr. Muthu Lakshmi Reddy, India’s first woman doctor, in the year 1952 and the foundation stone was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime minister. This institute is the first in the country to introduce Medical Physics and the Nuclear Medicine departments. Apart from treatment of cancer, Cancer Institute has been instrumental in introducing education of various specializations including M.Sc. in Medical Physics, M.Sc., in Surgical Oncology, Courses in Medical Oncology, Radiotherapy, Radio Diagnosis, Molecular Oncology, Nuclear Medicine among others.
Dr. V Shanta, Chairman, Cancer Institute (WIA), has been instrumental in getting government support to the cancer patients in terms of waiving duty on the cancer drugs and concessions on their train travel. Dr Shanta’s pioneering work has won her several laurels, both in India and abroad, including the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award and the nation’s prestigious civilian honor … Padma Vibhushan. Dr Shanta continues to lead by example and the Institute’s work in cancer care is probably unrivalled.

For more information relating to the Marathon event, do please contact Mr Shankarlal M Patel, Race Director, D2D Marathon 2018 on +91 94440 30407