In 2019 we continued with our tradition to participate in the Skopje Marathon and raise awareness on rare diseases. This was done with support from the group Skopje Night Running. For the first time we started in 2013 and here we are 6 years later still running for better life.
On 4th of May, 2019, around 50 participants ran on 5, 21 and 42 kilometers for the patients that have no available therapy. We hope for a better future for families that face life with rare diseases.
Statement from Vesna Aleksovska, president of LIFE WITH CHALLENGES
„This year we run for the patients that have no existent therapy. From 8000 rare diseases, only 5% have available therapy that improves their life. Others face diagnosis that need additional social and health services and inclusion in society. This year we run for better rehabilitation (physical and mental), for available psychological support, for emotional support, physiotherapy at home, day centers in more cities, we want patients to be included in clinical studies, to have a possibility for compassionate use of drugs. In our association there are around 100 different diagnosis. For a lot of them there is no therapy in the world. One of those is Ichthyosis, others are Epidermolysis Bulossa, Friedrich Ataxia, Allagile syndrome, Muscular dystrophy, Churg Strauss, Gillian Bare syndrome, Alport Syndrome, ALS Lu Gerick syndrome, Huntington disease, Neurofibromatosis, Rendu-Osler Weber syndrome, Barter syndrome, Lowe syndrome, Williams’s syndrome, Aspergillosis, West syndrome and many others … We will continue to communicate and cooperate with institutions to provide appropriate social and health care services for rare disease patients. These families deserve multidisciplinary approach to disease management and holistic care. In the past 10 years we should that things can change for the better and we will do even more further, together all of us patients and families.”
Statement, Josif Mishevski, patient with Ichthyosis
„I am just one of the patients with rare diseases where there is no treatment that can significantly improve my condition. Our society needs to make steps towards inclusion of these people. The month of May is a month for raising awareness on my diseases and last year we made a short video showing the challenges and problems that patients face. “
Statement, Iskra Toseva, Skopje Night Running
„We started supporting patients with rare diseases years ago and we will continue this tradition. With our initiative we hope that others will join the cause and support families that face life with rare diseases. Every person deserves a chance for better life.”
