Daily routine unfolds, with time relentlessly marching forward
The annual charity run-festival, Jüregımnıñ Jeñımpazy, took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, attracting 4,700 participants from across the country. This event, now a significant cultural and medical milestone, is focused on raising awareness and funds for organ and bone marrow transplant patients [1][3].
The festival was initiated and organized by the Public Foundation Heart Center Foundation, with the collected funds transferred to the Republican Center for Coordination of Transplantation. The event serves as a powerful symbol of hope, unity, and collective action for those awaiting life-saving transplants.
Background and History:
The Jüregımnıñ Jeñımpazy event was first organized by the Heart Foundation in Kazakhstan as part of broader efforts to support transplant patients and promote public awareness of organ donation. It takes place every year on or around August 10, attracting thousands of participants not competing to win but running to support transplant causes [1].
The run builds on Kazakhstan’s medical milestones, including the country’s growing success in organ transplantation, such as the first donor heart transplant over a decade ago and reaching over 100 heart transplant surgeries [1][2][5]. The event also highlights inspiring personal stories like that of Anar Shaimergenova, a kidney transplant recipient and ambassador for the foundation, who transitioned from dialysis to successful transplantation abroad, representing the kind of life-changing impact the marathon symbolizes [1].
Impact:
The marathon unites patients, families, medical professionals, and the public, fostering hope and a strong community around organ transplant awareness. It helps raise funds necessary for patient support and innovations in transplantation medicine, such as Kazakhstan’s ALEM device, which preserves donor organs and improves surgery outcomes [1][4].
The event coincides with other national efforts like documentary premieres spotlighting transplantation achievements, helping to reduce stigma and encourage donor registration [2]. By creating a festive, inclusive, and hopeful public atmosphere, the run promotes open dialogue around organ donation, which is critical for developing transplantation programs and saving lives in Kazakhstan.
Yuri P., a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of the fund, noted that Kazakhstan is the only country in Central Asia where transplantation and posthumous donation are developed [6]. Among the participants were not only doctors and concerned citizens, but also patients on dialysis who are on the waiting list for donated organs.
As of the event, over 4,000 people in Kazakhstan need transplants of the heart, kidneys, liver, or lungs, with over 3,000 waiting for a kidney and 145 for a heart [6]. Participants ran distances of 1, 3, and 10 kilometers to show support for patients awaiting organ transplants.
Kanat BAIBAYTAROV, a participant in the Jüregımnıñ Jeñımpazy event, expressed that such events provide strength, inspiration, and help set new goals. Anar Shaimergenova, a recipient of a kidney from a posthumous donor in 2022, shared that such events serve as a reminder about the importance and normality of posthumous donation [1].
Juregimnin Jenimpazy, initially a small bike ride with 60 participants in 2018, has evolved into a large-scale social movement that unites the public sector, business, and thousands of concerned Kazakhs. The Jüregımnıñ Jeñımpazy project continues to raise awareness about organ donation in society, making a significant impact in Kazakhstan's healthcare landscape.
References: [1] https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/aug/10/kazakhstan-heart-transplant-surgery-first-in-central-asia [2] https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/6844713 [3] https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/6843778 [4] https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/6843808 [5] https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/6843787 [6] https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/6843803
- The Jüregımnıñ Jeñımpazy event, initially focusing on organ transplant patients, has grown to include various health-and-wellness aspects, such as fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and nutrition, creating a comprehensive health festival.
- The festival's success in Kazakhstan has sparked interest in sports-analysis and innovation, with the development of cutting-edge technology like the ALEM device for organ preservation and improved surgery outcomes.
- Aside from supported causes, participants in Jüregımnıñ Jeñımpazy engage in various sports activities, fostering a stronger connection between health, fitness, and community involvement.
- The event's diverse focus on health, wellness, sports, and transplantation serves as an inspiration for many, raising awareness not only for organ donation but also for the importance of overall physical and mental well-being.
