Bring Hope to Spinal Cord Research at Wings For Life Run in New Cairo

Wings For Life is a global initiative to raise money for spinal cord research, and help people who have become paralysed by spinal cord injuries to move again.  Every year on May 8th, Wings For Life hosts a World Run so that everyone around the globe can raise funds for the cause - and for the first time, Egypt is joining in with local fitness company Ignite at Cairo Festival City in New Cairo.

"It’s basically an event for everyone to be a part of helping to make the world a better place and running for those who can’t," Deana Shaaban, Fitness Director at Ignite, tells CairoScene. "To join the run, you need to download the Wings For Life app and register. All of the registration money goes toward spinal cord research. It’s one of those events where you bring your parents, children, families and all come together for something much larger than ourselves."

The race begins at 1 PM at Cairo Festival City's Marquee Theatre, and is available for runners and wheelchair participants. Wheelchair participants will need to start the race in everyday wheelchairs. Instead of a finish line, participants will race side-by-side to keep ahead of the Virtual Catcher Car, which takes off 30 minutes after the start of the race. The race will end when the Virtual Catcher Car outruns each and every last participant.

In order to join the event, you will need to download the Wings For Life app for iOS and Android, and pay approximately EGP 155 (EUR 8). The race will take you on a 5 km route around Cairo Festival City. If you can't make it to New Cairo, you can still participate in a virtual App Run anywhere in the world - just make sure to start at the same time.