Rare Disease Fun Run to kick off on Cairns Esplanade

Hundreds of people are expected to help shine a light on rare illnesses by taking part in the Rare Disease Fun Run this weekend. How you can get involved.

Meagan Cross and Rohan Cross will take part in the Friends of Rare Disease Fun Run at the Cairns Esplanade on March 2 in honour of their teenage daughter Molly, who was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome in 2008. Photo: Catherine Duffy.

Hundreds of people are expected to help shine a light on rare illnesses by taking part in the Rare Disease Fun Run on Sunday, March 2.

Cairns fun run organiser Meagan Cross, whose daughter, Molly, was diagnosed with genetic disorder Angelman Syndrome, said the event was a great way to bring the community together and support those living with little-known illnesses.

“We started in 2009 after my daughter was diagnosed with a rare diseases in 2008,” Ms Cross said.

“We were just oblivious to the fact there were things like this around and when (Friends of Rare Diseases) announced they were doing an international disease day, we just wanted other people to realise this could happen to anyone and create a community around them.”

Now in its 16th year, Ms Cross said the fun run was a great way to bring the community together.

“Anyone that has a rare disease can come along; we have lots of families (represent) different rare diseases or friends and families who run for people that have passed away,” she said.

The fun run comes after World Rare Disease Day on February 28, two days after the couple and Mayor Amy Eden unveiled a bench in honour of people with rare disease at the Cairns Esplanade.

The event will start at 7.30am on the Cairns Esplanade from the pirate ship playground and can be done in 2.5km or 5km courses, walking, running, or wheeling.

Registrations are available via the Rare Friends (FNQ) website.

Originally published as Rare Disease Fun Run to kick off on Cairns Esplanade