Continuity prevails in the world's trajectory
In the heart of Astana, Kazakhstan, the annual charity run-festival Juregimnin Jenimpazy took place, attracting 4,700 participants from across the country. This event, which started as a small bike ride in 2018, has grown into a significant social movement that unites the public sector, business, and thousands of concerned Kazakhstanis.
The Juregimnin Jenimpazy event is noteworthy as it underscores the importance of organ donation and transplantation in Kazakhstan. Participants ran distances of 1, 3, and 10 kilometers to support patients awaiting organ transplants. One such recipient, Anar SHAYMERGENOVA, who received a kidney transplant in 2022, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about post-mortem donation, stating that many lives can be saved.
Yuri P., a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of the fund, noted that Kazakhstan is the only country in Central Asia with developed transplantation and post-mortem donation. He attributed the significant growth in organ transplantation in Kazakhstan since the first heart transplant, 13 years ago, to increased medical expertise, establishment of centers specialized in cardiac surgery and organ transplantation, and improved awareness and healthcare infrastructure in the country.
The Public Fund Heart Center Foundation organized the event, with the collected funds donated to the Republican Center for Coordination of Transplantation. Kanat BAIBAYTAROV, a participant in the event, stated that it gives strength, inspires, and helps set new goals. SHAYMERGENOVA, a patient on the waiting list, noted that she is a part of society, including neighbours, colleagues, and teachers.
Transplantation and post-mortem donation are considered indicators of the country's level of development in Kazakhstan. The movement aims to raise awareness about donation in society. Among the runners were not only doctors and concerned citizens but also patients on dialysis waiting for a transplant.
Although specific details on how the Juregimnin Jenimpazy run-festival impacts transplantation in Kazakhstan are not documented, it is common globally for such community and awareness events to play an important role in supporting transplant programs. The festival contributes to this growth by raising public awareness about organ donation, promoting healthy lifestyles, and fostering a community that supports transplantation programs.
Over 4,000 people in Kazakhstan need heart, kidney, liver, or lung transplants, with over 3,000 waiting for a kidney and 145 for a heart. The festival's indirect impact on transplantation can be seen in the increasing number of donor registrations and community support for transplantation programs. Together, medical advancements and public engagement through events like the Juregimnin Jenimpazy festival explain the significant increase in organ transplantation in Kazakhstan.
- The annual charity run-festival Juregimnin Jenimpazy, held in the heart of Astana, Kazakhstan, not only promotes health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise but also raises awareness for mental-health and the importance of organ donation.
- Participants in the Juregimnin Jenimpazy event, such as Anar SHAYMERGENOVA, who received a kidney transplant in 2022, emphasize the role of such events in raising awareness about post-mortem donation and saving lives.
- The Juregimnin Jenimpazy run-festival, by raising awareness about organ donation and promoting healthy lifestyles, contributes to the significant increase in organ transplantation in Kazakhstan, making it a vital part of the country's sports and health-and-wellness scene.
