3 weeks ago
Run for SMA 2026 Creates Awareness About Rare Genetic Disorder
There is a very rare health condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA for short, which makes the body's muscles weak.
In the city of Hyderabad, grown-ups organised a big running event called Run for SMA 2026 to teach people about SMA.
The event happened at Gachibowli Stadium, where many people ran races of 5, 10, and 21 kilometres.
Children living with SMA and their families also joined to show that everyone deserves kindness and support.
Important leaders, including Mr Jayesh Ranjan and Police Commissioner Dr M Ramesh, helped start the race.
Doctors at the event explained that finding out about SMA very early and starting treatment quickly can really help.
The organisers offered free genetic tests at the event so people could learn whether they carry the gene linked to SMA.
They told everyone that about one in every 38 people may carry this gene without showing any signs.
The run showed how sports, science, and the community can work together to help people with rare diseases.
The fourth edition of Run for SMA 2026 was held at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday to raise awareness about Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder.
MAUD Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan and Cyberabad Police Commissioner Dr M Ramesh flagged off the run, joined by SMA families, healthcare professionals, corporate employees, students, professional runners and members of the public.
The event featured 21K, 10K and 5K runs, with children living with SMA and their families participating to highlight the need for understanding, inclusion and support.
Srilakshmi Nalam, Co-founder and Trustee of Cure SMA India, stressed the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment, warning that delays could lead to irreversible loss of muscle function.
A free SMA genetic carrier screening programme, supported by Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak and Lightning Lives, was conducted at the venue, with about one in 38 people estimated to be an SMA carrier without symptoms.
- Who
- MAUD Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Dr M Ramesh, Cure SMA Foundation of India, SMA families, healthcare professionals, students, corporate employees, professional runners and members of the public.
- What
- The fourth edition of Run for SMA 2026, featuring 21K, 10K and 5K runs and a free SMA genetic carrier screening programme, to raise awareness about Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
- Where
- Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad.
- When
- Sunday, at the 2026 edition of the event.
- Why
- To create awareness about SMA, a rare genetic disorder, and highlight the importance of early diagnosis, timely treatment, prevention and genetic carrier screening.
Key facts
- Event
- Run for SMA 2026 (fourth edition)
- Organiser
- Cure SMA Foundation of India
- Location
- Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad
- Run categories
- 21K, 10K and 5K
- Free screening
- SMA genetic carrier screening programme at the venue
- Carrier estimate
- About one in 38 people estimated to be SMA carriers without symptoms
- Screening supported by
- Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak and Lightning Lives
- Key message
- Early diagnosis and timely treatment prevent irreversible loss of muscle function
Sources
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