IN endorsing the Everyone's A Winner/The Best Dressed Chicken Father's Day 3K and 5K Run/Walk, Takese Foga, director of health promotion and education, Ministry of Health and Wellness, has appealed to Jamaicans to participate in daily physical activity as an integral part of healthy living.

Speaking on May 31 at the launch of the event, set for June 18 at Hope Gardens, Foga said to help in the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases each person needs to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity five days a week. This can be divided into 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon.

According to the health executive, seven out of 10 Jamaicans die each year from noncommunicable diseases.

"Our last Jamaica Health & Lifestyle Survey III - 2016/2017 showed that one in eight persons have diabetes while four out of 10 who have diabetes don't know they have it. A similar trend is seen in hypertension where one in three persons have it but four out of 10 are unaware. But by engaging in daily physical activities, together with a healthy diet, we can significantly reduce our risk of being affected by these noncommunicable diseases," she said.

This year's Everyone's a Winner/The Best Dressed Chicken Father's Day 3K and 5K Run/Walk will again focus on the promotion of a healthy lifestyle for families while recognising the value of a healthy father as a gift to his family.

Under the theme 'Miles for Hope' the race will benefit 12-year-old Raje Joseph who in June 2019 was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.

"This young man needs an urgent stem cell transplant at a cost of US87,000, not including room and board, food, as well as ground transportation for the duration of the treatment, which is estimated to take six months. So, we have decided to donate the proceeds from the race day to him," said Avadaugn Sinclair, regional marketing manager of Best Dressed Chicken (BDC), major sponsor of the event.

"While it has been hard financially it has also drawn our family together. Going through this terrible storm has caused all of us to hold on to each other a little bit tighter," said Raje's mother Vanessa Williams-Morgan, who is an employee of The Best Dressed Chicken.

"It's been a blessing working for a company like BDC," said Williams-Morgan. "They have been superb during this journey. They have helped me with medication and offered counselling to help me through the difficult days. I am grateful for all they have done," she continued.

Race Director Alfred "Frano" Francis, of Running Events Jamaica, noted that the run/walk that begins at 6:00 am will offer individuals, families, and teams from corporate Jamaica an opportunity to improve their overall health.

"It will be a premium, boutique race experience, with post-race favourites such as tastings and refreshments, massages, a misting station, and health checks by the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, and awards presentations."

On race day the first 2,000 participants will receive medals and the top three father and child duos, in both the 3K and 5K races, will be awarded special trophies. There will also be prizes of free passes to Hope Zoo for the fastest children under 12 who cross the finish line, in addition to trophies for the overall male and female winners who secure first, second and third places. Running teams will once again be vying for the Roy Thomas Trophy, in honour of the veteran road racer who has been an inspiration for the Jamaican road racing community.

Other sponsors include TVJ, Hitz 92, Radio Jamaica, Catherine's Peak; Jamaica Observer; Gatorade; St Mary's; Secret Deodorant, Purity, Statin Census 2022, CPJ, Viva Sparkling Water, Bella Oasis, Express Fitness, The Heart Foundation of Jamaica, The Art Printery, Chas E Ramson, Muscle Fiber Methodology Ltd, and the Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation.