Media Release
Udupi, Oct 10: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) observed World Hospice and Palliative Care Day with 'Run and Ride for Dignity', a cycling and running event organised by the Manipal Hospice and Respite Centre (MHRC). The event carried a simple but powerful message to the community: every person living with a serious or life-limiting illness deserves to live with comfort, dignity and care until the very end.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is observed globally on the second Saturday of October. This year’s theme, 'Pain management: An essential part of palliative care', highlights that recognising and relieving pain is central to caring for seriously ill patients. Palliative care addresses physical symptoms as well as the emotional, social and spiritual suffering of patients and their families.
The event was conceived to address a major gap in healthcare today. Many patients with advanced cancer, organ failure and other chronic illnesses spend their final months in uncontrolled pain, with repeated hospital visits and in isolation. Often this happens because their families are unaware that palliative and hospice care exists, or they seek it only in the last days. Through the run and ride, MHRC sought to make people aware that palliative care is not about giving up on treatment but about improving the quality of life. It also sought to encourage families and doctors to seek such care early, to acknowledge the silent efforts of caregivers, and to let the community know that compassionate hospice and respite care is now available close to home. The routes themselves carried the message: participants journeyed from the cities to the hospice, a reminder that palliative care belongs at the heart of the community.
The cycle ride was flagged off from Corporation Circle, near Lalbagh, Mangaluru, by Maj Gen (Dr) Mathews Jacob, VSM (Retd), Pro vice chancellor – Health sciences, MAHE. The cyclists covered about 68 km along NH 66 via Surathkal, Padubidri and Udupi before reaching MHRC. The run was flagged off from Coin Circle, Manipal, by Dr Sudhakar Kantipudi, chief operating officer – Teaching hospitals, MAHE, along with Dr Seema Rao, director and consultant in Palliative Medicine, Manipal Hospice and Respite Centre (MHRC), and concluded at MHRC, Kolalagiri. Around 150 cyclists and 150 runners took part, including members of running and cycling clubs, doctors, nurses, students, staff and members of the public.
At MHRC, the participants were welcomed by Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor, MAHE, and Dr Sharath K Rao, vice chancellor, MAHE.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr H S Ballal said, “Every kilometre covered today was a message to society that dignity matters at every stage of life. Palliative care is not the end of treatment. It is a care that relieves pain, eases fear and supports the family. Through MHRC, MAHE wants to ensure that no patient in our region has to face the last phase of illness without comfort and compassion.”
Dr Sharath K Rao said, “The biggest gap in palliative care is awareness. Too many families come to us only in the final days, when much more could have been done to control pain and give comfort. By running and riding together, our doctors, students and citizens have carried this message beyond hospital walls. We urge families to seek palliative support early. MHRC is here for them.”
Located on a serene 12-acre campus at Havanje, near Manipal, MHRC is a MAHE initiative that offers both hospice and respite care under one roof. Its services include pain and symptom management, wound and stoma care, nursing and rehabilitation. Along with medical care, the centre provides dignity therapy, legacy work and support to families.
The programme was organised by MHRC and the department of palliative medicine and supportive care, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. It was held in association with Mangalore Runners Club, Manipal Runners Club, Mangalore Cycling Club, Surathkal Beach Runners (SBR), Udupi District Amateur Cycling Association (UDACA) and Udupi Runners Club (URC), with Taj Cycles as the cycling partner. The organisers thanked all the clubs, participants, volunteers, and the transport and support teams for making the event a success.