CHENNAI / August 20, 2023: Rela Hospital and the city-based cycling group WCCG Chennai Cyclists came together today to organize the Rela Tenacity 110K Cyclothon, an initiative to raise awareness about organ donation, honor the families of organ donors and encourage more people to come forward for the noble cause.
The Cyclothon was flagged off by Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO, Rela Hospital and several family members of organ donors, who were felicitated at the event, symbolizing the universal nature of the selfless act of organ donation. Some organ donors, fondly remembered by everyone, were quite young, including a 12-year-old child and a 21-year-old youth, who lost their lives but gave the precious gift of life to others after them.
Beginning at 5.30 AM from Rela Hospital, Chromepet, more than 500 cyclists embarked on a scenic journey of 110 kilometers. The route passed through Tambaram, Perungalathur, Padappai, Oragadam, Thirukachur, Palur, Pazhyaseevaram, Ezhichur, Theresapuram, Kolathur, Manimangalam, and Mudichur, before terminating back at Rela Hospital. The participants journeyed through a mix of modern and natural settings, such as the Oragadam Industrial Corridor and the banks of the Palar river, cycling across rustic villages with stunning hills and lakes in the background.
Said Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO, Rela Hospital: “The Rela Tenacity 110K Cyclothon encapsulates the essence of unity, awareness, and progress – values that are fundamental to both cycling and organ donation advocacy. It underscores our commitment to spreading awareness about organ donation and its life-altering impact. Through this event, we also pay tribute to the legacy of those who have embraced the ultimate act of kindness – the gift of life – and inspire others to do the same.”
He added: “It is important that more people come forward to volunteer for organ donation, considering the huge demand. At our hospital alone, there is a waiting list of 193 people for liver transplants and 114 for kidney transplants. However, only 156 organ donations occurred in the entire state of Tamil Nadu last year.”
