Hyderabad recently hosted the 3rd Run for SMA – 2025 at Gachibowli Stadium. Organized by the Cure SMA Foundation of India, this event focuses on raising awareness about Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder impacting children’s muscle strength and movement. Without treatment, SMA can lead to severe complications like respiratory failure.
The run began with Jayesh Ranjan, Telangana’s Special Chief Secretary, officiating the event. Noteworthy guests included Bhavani Sri from the National Turmeric Board, Archana Suresh from the Telangana Social Impact Group, Dr. Radha Rama Devi of Rainbow Children’s Hospital, and Mayur Patnala, CEO of Nirmaan Organization.
Participants could choose between timed runs of 21K, 10K, and 5K, or a non-timed 5K run. About 2,500 runners joined the cause, including students, corporate employees, medical professionals, and families affected by SMA. In a unique addition, over 2,000 Indian Coast Guard personnel participated virtually from various locations, including the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshwadeep Islands.
Srilakshmi Nalam, Co-founder of Cure SMA India, highlighted the need for collaboration among medical experts, research entities, businesses, and the government. She stressed that such partnerships are vital to support families dealing with rare diseases in India. The run is part of the Global SMA Awareness Month, celebrated in August.
