KOCHI: Fifty organ donors, who hope to spread awareness about organ donation, volunteers of an NGO working to prevent suicides and differently-abled groups all intend to participate in the coming Kochi half-marathon, making it a very special event this year.
The donors, who are from across the state, will run under the banner of the Organ Donors Association to tell people its possible to lead a normal life despite donating a kidney, part of a liver or bone marrow.
The team includes over 20 women, celebrities like Kochouseph Chittilapilly and Uma Preman besides association president, Benny Kunnel, who has donated part of his liver and general secretary, Ajith Narangalil, a kidney donor, who is participating in the 21- km category for the second time.
Another 50 member group from Maithiri, an NGO working to prevent suicides, will run in the seven kilometer marathon.
“Our team, which includes volunteers of Maithri and their friends, will run to spread awareness on suicide prevention. Noted psychologist Dr. C.J John, an active campaigner of Maithri, will be among the runners,” said Adv. Rajesh R Pillai, president of Befrienders India, the national NGO that Maithri is affiliated to.
