Happy Runs
Mai Lan's family (Hoang Mai, Hanoi) did not sleep in as usual last Sunday (August 20). Instead, the family of four decided to wake up early and go to Hoan Kiem Lake together to participate in the MB Ageas Life Happy Ekiden 2023 race.
The race attracted the participation of 800 families, with more than 3,000 people.
This is a semi-professional race organized by MB Ageas Life Insurance Company, a member of MB Group, for families in the form of relay race (Ekiden) famous in Japan. With this form, each running team will consist of 4 members, including 1 child to form a Happy Team.
Joining Lan’s family were 800 other families from Hanoi and neighboring provinces, creating an extremely exciting atmosphere. Lan confided: “ I have never seen such a large family-scale running event before. There, all members join together as a collective, instead of individually like other races .”
Lan’s two children are at the age of development but do not have many opportunities to exercise on a daily basis because they are busy with school. Therefore, family races are a place to promote the children’s sportsmanship.
The race is a place for families to bond and spread love.
Besides the exercise factor, another important reason that makes Ms. Lan and many families wake up early on Sunday is the charity purpose. All revenue from ticket sales will be donated to “heal” the smiles of children with cleft lip and palate defects.
Ms. Lan confided: “ I surfed Tiktok and saw many children with cleft lips and cleft palates but did not have money for surgery. I really feel sorry for them. Therefore, I want to contribute a little to help many disadvantaged children find their smiles again. My family supports this wish, so all members participate enthusiastically .”
Joining the crowd of runners, Minh Tien (Kham Thien, Hanoi) shared: “ I hope there will be more races like this to help disadvantaged children. Witnessing the difficult situations in society, I realize how lucky I am .”
In addition to the running race, the Happy Ekiden Festival is also held in parallel at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square with interesting experience booths for families. The main activities include Lighting Up Happiness: bicycle racing to light up the LED screen; Happy Race: foot-powered car racing; Happy Claw Machine: children become claws for their parents to control and catch the gift they like.
Many sideline activities at the race.
Healing Children's Smiles
According to statistics from Children's Hospital 1 (HCMC), each year there are 3,000 children with cleft palate. According to Dr. Nguyen Van Dau, Head of the Department of Dentistry, Children's Hospital 1, the rate of children with cleft lip and palate increases over time. The race raises funds for Operation Smile, to perform surgery for children with cleft lip and palate deformities.
Previously, 1 in 750 babies were born with the condition, but now the rate has increased to 1 in 550. Of these, 15,000 babies nationwide have not yet had surgery. Every year, Operation Smile performs surgery on hundreds of children. This is a non-governmental organization that operates on charitable contributions and volunteers.
Spreading love and healing children's smiles is the message the race aims for.
Over the past four years, the Happy Ekiden Run has raised a significant amount of money for Operation Smile. In 2022, the run raised more than VND200 million, helping to heal the smiles of 20 children. In addition, MB Ageas Life has also donated VND700 million from its business activities, helping nearly 100 children regain their smiles.
Mr. Do Tuan Anh - Chairman of the Executive Committee of MB Ageas Life spoke at the race.
Sharing about the event, Mr. Do Tuan Anh - Chairman of the Executive Committee of MB Ageas Life said: " Through the race, we hope to bring practical activities to accompany customers, create a playground for families to have time to connect, as well as join hands to donate to support children with cleft lip and palate deformities ."
Bao Anh
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