A large number of people took part in a marathon organised to raise awareness on organ donation here on Saturday.
Health Minister C.Vijaya Baskar, who flagged off the marathon, emphasised the need for carrying the message of organ donation, which saves precious lives, to more and more people although Tamil Nadu was already in the forefront in the country in organ donation. The state government would continue to make efforts to make organ donation a people’s movement through various activities and be a frontrunner in the field.
Those who wished to donate organs could register themselves onlin and those who required organs could also register themselves online introduced through SBI and need not travel to Chennai for registration with Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN), Mr.Vijaya Baskar told reporters after the event.
The marathon, which was organised by TRANSTAN and the Health department, began at the Public Office (Court) Building and culminated at the Sports Complex. School students, families, NGOs and others took part in the event, which was recognised for the largest number of participants in a marathon by Asian Book of Records. Over 12,000 people participated in the marathon, officials said.
Winners received a cash prize of ₹10,000, ₹ 5,000 and ₹ 3,000, while all participants received certificates of appreciation.
Collector P. Uma Maheswari, and K. Senthil Raj, Project Director, Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society took part in the marathon alongside Mr. Vijaya Baskar.
