(VNF) - On November 9^th, the Hanoi Run for Children (HRC) Organizing Committee visited the National Children hospital in Hanoi to prepare for the race raising funds for the treatment of disadvantaged children with cancer and heart disease.

HRC Organizing Committee and its volunteers called on local residents and those working in the city to join the run to raise fund to treat children with cancer and heart diseases. (Photo courtesy of HAUFO)

Attending the meeting were Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Ping Kitnikone; representatives of Embassy of Canada to Vietnam in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association (VCFA), the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations (HAUFO) and Manulife Vietnam, the HRC’s platinum sponsor as well as its volunteers.

Canadian Ambassador Ping Kitnikone called on local residents and those working in the city to join the run to raise fund to treat children with cancer and heart diseases.

She said every child in Vietnam deserves to be strong and healthy and the community could make this happen. The run shows that a community could together move forward for a common cause, she added, noting that it also represents the friendship between Vietnam and Canada.

"It is our great honor,” Mr. Dang Ngoc Hai, Deputy Director of the National Children hospital said, “to welcome you to our hospital. Your visit reflects your deep sensitivity and interest in underprivileged children who are fighting cancer and heart disease”.

The Hanoi Run for Children affirms that a community could together move forward for a common cause, he added.

HRC Organizing Committee and its volunteers presented gifts to children at the hospital. (Photo courtesy of HAUFO)

This year, Residents of Hanoi are invited to participate in the 16^th Annual HRC on December 11^th at the main gate of the Thong Nhat (Reunification) Park to help underprivileged children with cancer and heart disease and support local hospitals.

HRC was established in 2000 formerly known as the Terry Fox Run Hanoi (2000-2008). However, in order to target underprivileged children with cancer and congenital heart disease, then Canadian Ambassador in Vietnam Deanna Horton suggested changing of the event's name to Hanoi Run for Children in 2009.

HRC attracted more than 80,000 participants and raised more than VND 9 billion (USD 399,200) to assist underprivileged children with cancer and heart disease treatment so far.

The run has become a traditional fundraising event, attracting thousands for local residents, businesses as well as international friends to make a donation to underprivileged children./.

The People’s Artist Le Khanh talked with children at hospital. (Photo courtesy of HAUFO)

Minh Phuong