500 cyclists participate in Cyclothon by Rela Hospital

Rela Hospital and the city-based cycling group WCCG Chennai Cyclists came together 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.

Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO, Rela Hospital said “The Rela Tenacity 110K Cyclothon encapsulates the essence of unity, awareness, and progress values that are fundamental to both cycling and organ donation advocacy. He added: “It is important that more people come forward to volunteer for organ donation, considering the huge demand. 

At Rela 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.