Aster Volunteers, the charitable branch of Aster DM Healthcare, has concluded the fourth edition of its impactful ‘Heart2Heart Cares 2024’ initiative, which will fund life-saving heart surgeries for 50 underprivileged children. This program, which promotes heart health across the GCC and India, ran for a month starting on World Heart Day and concluded with a grand finale event on November 3 at Zabeel Park in Dubai.
The event saw over 3,000 volunteers come together for a Mega Walk, completing 10,000 steps in solidarity with the cause. Brigadier Ghalib Al-Ghafli, Director of Al Rifa’a Police Station, Dubai, and Mr. Shamsudheen Bin Muhidheen, Non-Executive Director of Aster DM Healthcare – India, led the participants. The celebration featured cultural performances and a symbolic release of balloons and a white dove, inaugurated by HE Zahir Abdelfadil Agab, Consul General of Sudan in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
“Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide,” noted Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director & Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare GCC. She highlighted the urgency of addressing congenital heart disease, which affects millions of children globally, many of whom require urgent surgical care. “This year’s initiative saw an overwhelming response, with over 23,000 people registering, signifying an increase in community support,” she said, emphasizing the collective effort’s role in making pediatric surgeries possible for those in need.
Participants around the world, particularly from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, embraced the challenge of walking 10,000 steps daily, showcasing both their commitment to personal fitness and their support for the program.
