A second chance at life: Mater Heart Run 2025 launches to save lives

In 2009, a young Juma Shaban Juma was living with the heavy burden of rheumatic heart disease. He couldn’t run, play or even walk three steps without struggling to breathe.

“I used to suffer. My schooling was on and off, and I faced stigma from society,” Juma recalls.

“People thought heart disease couldn’t be treated. I was isolated – even simple play was dangerous.”

In high school, Juma learned that both his mitral and aortic valves were damaged and required replacement, an emotional blow that compounded the physical pain.

“Even after the first surgery, I was still neglected,” he shared.

“Friends were scared to play with me. They thought a simple push could collapse me. But Mater Heart Run gave me hope again with a second surgery and the strength to keep going.”

Juma’s life changed when he found care through the Mater Cardiac Programme. He underwent two life-saving heart surgeries that gave him what he calls ‘a second chance’. Now a young man, Juma speaks with hope and gratitude.

“I thank God and Mater Heart Run for walking with me for 15 years. They are my heroes. Let’s embrace people who’ve undergone these surgeries – they still have dreams.”

Juma was among several beneficiaries who gave emotional testimonies at the official launch of the 2025 edition of the Mater Heart Run, held on Thursday at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Nairobi.

This year’s run aims to raise Sh120 million, with the goal of financing 250 heart procedures for children from underprivileged families. These funds will cover open-heart surgeries, cardiac catheterisation, and other interventions.

Speaking during the launch, Sr Dr Mary Ngui, CEO of Mater Misericordiae Hospital, traced the cardiac programme’s roots to 1995, when it began with a vision to provide access to heart treatment for children from low-income backgrounds who could not afford care abroad.

“To date, 5,684 children have benefited. Of these, 2,295 had open-heart surgeries and 3,389 underwent catheterisation procedures,” Dr Ngui said. In 2024, children were attended to – 101 received heart surgery, while 332 underwent catheter-based interventions.

The Mater Cardiac Programme provides a comprehensive approach to heart health, offering life-saving surgeries and catheterisation for children with complex heart conditions. It also runs awareness campaigns and school screening camps to combat rheumatic fever and heart disease through early prevention and detection.

Additionally, the programme trains medical staff, ensuring healthcare workers are equipped with up-to-date skills for cardiac care. These efforts strengthen both individual lives and the healthcare system.

In just the first three months of 2025, the hospital has already conducted 13 surgeries and 53 catheterisation procedures, marking a strong start towards this year’s goal.

“At this, just pause and ponder on the lives – not numbers – saved because of your support,” Dr Ngui urged.

“These are precious lives of our children, touched and given a new lease of life. They’ve been given the chance to be like any other child, thanks to your generosity.”

Since 2008, the hospital has also led a nationwide awareness campaign, screening over 157,596 children for rheumatic and congenital heart conditions, often identifying cases early enough to prevent complications.

This year’s edition continues to draw backing from corporates, schools and everyday Kenyans. Runs will take place concurrently on May 31, 2025 in 10 counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Machakos, Bomet, Kericho, and Kakamega.

Participants and supporters are encouraged to buy branded merchandise like T-shirts, caps, and wristbands to help meet the fundraising target.

Dr Gladys Njihia, a paediatric cardiologist at Mater, spoke on the life-changing impact of the programme.

“When these babies and children come to us, they’re often in and out of hospital, not able to feed, go to school or even play. Their quality of life is very poor,” she said.

“Once we’ve done the surgery or interventions, they undergo a huge transformation – they thrive.”