A marathon for children’s hearts

A charitable initiative devoted to children suffering from heart diseases.

Ana-Maria Cononovici, 23.04.2014, 13:14

The Moroccan dessert hosted between April 6th and 12th, the internationally famous “Marathon des Sables” (the Sands’ Marathon). Of the numerous ultra-marathon competitions in the world, “Le Marathon des Sables” is well known for the severe conditions imposed on the participants. Consequently, throughout the entire competition, runners carry their 11 kg backpacks containing everything they need: the survival kit, clothes and foodstuffs enough for a whole week. The organisers offer them only water and provide shelter in Berber tents, the sleeping bags and pads being carried by the competitors, who also receive medical assistance, if need be.

For the fourth time in a row and for the third time together with the Children’s Heart Association, Paul Dicu ran 250 km in the Sahara dessert, in six days. Upon returning from the marathon, Paul Dicu told us what had motivated him to enrol in the race:

“Just like in the past years, I chose to run in a competition, as part of a fund-raising campaign for the Children’ Heart Association, which raises funds for children who suffer from heart diseases. It is also thanks to this association that a paediatric cardio-surgery department has been built at the Marie Curie Hospital in Bucharest, as well as a new intensive care unit. This is the main reason, and actually a good one, which makes me run every year. It is not a duty, but an honour to be able to run in the competition. Thus, you stand the rare chance to meet truly special people and this is the reason that makes me go on, without a moment’s hesitation.”

Everything started three years ago, when a friend asked Paul if he wanted to run for these children. Therefore, Paul Dicu decided to reach his goal of becoming a role model for all those who want to help the Children’s Heart Association, as part of a campaign entitled “Keeping in step with Paul. Run for the children suffering from heart diseases, too!” The ultimate goal is to raise funds to help children suffering from heart diseases.

“The main sponsor has increased his contribution. This year, we have collected 25,000 Euros from the sponsor, in the context in which according to the protocol of the campaign, the sponsor should pay 2 Euros for every kilometre covered by any runner in the world. There were a total of 1,350-1,400 people, I haven’t managed to add everyone up, including those working on oil platforms, who chose to take part in the campaign ‘In step with Paul’. This was great news for me, because all these people have contributed a lot to raising funds. Some 1,100 people participated in the campaign in the past two years and some 1,400 this year. It was simply fantastic. There were people who sent me messages when I was in the Sahara dessert, who supported me and told me not to give up, to hold on, as they knew from previous editions how harsh the competition can get.“

Although the conditions are tough and the participants in the marathon are unrelenting, this is not a sports race. Paul Dicu explains:

“The race is just like a charity story; it is not about you, your achievements, about rankings or medals. The race was initiated by Patrick Bauer some 29 years ago, out of his desire to show the world how beautiful it is to run for a noble cause and what you can achieve by doing that. So, at least half of the participants are running as part of a charity campaign or the runners themselves have health problems. Participating are people diagnosed with cancer, visually impaired, one-legged people, it is incredible to see what happens there. You return from Sahara with a totally changed perception and view of the so-called life problems you are facing”.

What should we learn from such experiences? What can each of us do to help others? Paul Dicu:

“I would rate this race as a must-do in life. Everyone should do it, to realize how important another person is, to realise the value of the relationship they should have with others, to understand that not everything is about oneself, but about what they can do for others. Undoubtedly, our campaign, run by the Children’s Heart Association, which is focussed on this idea, is not about who we are and what we do. The whole idea is to reach out and help others. Unfortunately, children have been diagnosed with heart problems and will continue to be in the future. Therefore, some people ask me why I decide to keep going. And the answer is: because there will always be people with problems. And what do we learn from this race? Well, it simply teaches us to share, to be generous, without waiting to receive something in return. There are always people with problems, and what can we do about this? We can ‘keep in step with Paul’, we can make a donation by sending an text message to 8861, we can fill in a form by which we donate 2% of the tax income and to understand that by donating this money we can make children’s life easier.”

We have already joined the campaign “Keeping in step with Paul” and we invite you, too, to contribute in any way possible, for instance, by simply sending a text message. It is important for you to decide that you want to be part of it.