Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Sep 15: In a nobel initiative, the city's largest shopping hub, Forum Mall, is hosting the 'Purple Run' in association with NIMHANS, in what is slated to be India's biggest run for Alzheimer's awareness on September 24 across five of its malls in various parts of the country simulatneously.
Addressing a press conference at Forum Fiza Mall here on Friday, September 15, Sunil K S, marketing and communication manager of the mall said, "The Purple Run will be organized at all five Forum Malls across four cities and will kick off simultaneously on September 24 at Forum Fiza Malls in Mangaluru, Koramangala, Whitefield (both in Bengaluru), Chennai and Hyderabad. With over 10,000 people set to run for Alzheimer's awareness, all at the same time all over South India, this event will be the first of its kind.
"Cash prizes of over Rs 6 lac and gift hampers are to be won. The highest cash prize of Rs 35,000 will be awarded for the first place winner in the 21 km run, and Rs 20,000 for the winner of 10 km run. The runners in the 3 km and 4 km categories will win gift hampers," he said.
"Entry forms are available at the information desk of Forum Fiza Mall, Mangaluru. Online registrations can be done through the Forum website," Sunil K S informed.
Briefing about Alzheimer's, Dr Prof A Thrimoorthy, head of the department of psychiatric social work of NIMHANS said, " Alzheimer's disease is a disorder of the nervous system that progressively affects memory and brain functions.The disease is the most common form of dementia, which results in the loss of intellectual and social skills in an individual. People in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's are known to experience confusion, difficulty in remembering incidences and people. The disease sets in gradually and affects the individual progressively resulting in a steady decline in memory, mental functions, social-cognitive skills and increased confusion.
"Alzheimer's is caused by brain cell death. It is a neurodegenerative disease, which means there is progressive brain cell death that happens over a course of time. The total brain size shrinks with Alzheimer's - the tissue has progressively fewer nerve cells and connections. The very nature of the symptoms can be confusing for both a patient and the people around them, with different levels of severity. For this reason, and because symptoms could signal any of a number of diagnoses, it is always worthwhile seeing a doctor," he said.
Fayaz M H, assistant centre manager of Forum Mall said, "Since its inception, the Forum group has been conducting many programmes for good causes. The Purple Run is one-of-a-kind which will create awareness on Alzheimer's. We hope to see a large number of participants run on September 24 for a good cause. This run is not just for trained individuals, but for everyone.