Brief History and Motivation for the Marathon

Since August 5, 1969, the Rotary Club of Makati West has grown, not only in membership - from 34 to 150 - but also in the scope and influence of its services to the community, as attested to by the testimony of many beneficiaries as well as the many local and international awards.

RCMW has spearheaded many socio-civic and charitable activities that they have sustained through the years, such as the Gift of Life Open Heart Surgery (GOL), Hemangioma Facial Deformity Operations, Harelip and Cleft Palate Operations, Artificial Limbs, Water for Life, Wheelchair distribution and Gawad Kalinga.

Consistent with the motto of "Service Above Self", the club will hold a benefit event dubbed the "Run for Their Lives Marathon" on March 15, 2009, Sunday at Fort Bonifacio. Participants will be running for the benefit of indigent children born with congenital heart disease who are on the waiting lists of donors in four major hospitals.

The charity run hopes to attract around 2,500 participants for its 3km and 10km categories.

"We chose a run because many of our members participate in running races, with more than a few marathoners and triathletes." Said Larry Ocampo, past president of the Rotary Club of Makati West and Chairman of the RCMW Gift of Life Foundation. "We've seen the growth of running in terms of participation and awareness. We felt that a charity run would be the best vehicle to showcase and raise funds for more GOL surgeries. If we do this right, we should be able to raise funds to save the lives of 40 or more children."