“If there is any poor child with Type 1 diabetes below the age of 20 who is struggling to access insulin, they can visit https://idhayangal.org to reach us. We are just one phone call and one click away to help them,” said Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan, Founder, Idhayangal Charitable Trust, while addressing an awareness event titled ‘Kid-A-Thon’, held on December 14, 2025, at Thomas Park, Race Course.
Rotary E-Club of Metrodynamix, in association with Idhayangal Charitable Trust, organised the third edition of Kid-A-Thon, a walkathon aimed at creating awareness about Type 1 diabetes, a condition that predominantly affects children.
More than 1,000 children participated in the event, including over 200 children battling Type 1 diabetes, to spread awareness among the general public.
Saravana Sundar, Police Commissioner, Coimbatore City; Rajendran, Managing Director, Rasi Seeds; Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan; Rtn. Reshma Ramesh, Project Director – Combat Diabetes and Chair of Kid-A-Thon; Rtn. Mahesh Prabhu, President; Rtn. Sujay Shroff, Secretary; Survajit S. Krishnan, Chairperson of Vocational Services, Rotary E-Club of Metrodynamix; and Rtn. Chugh, District Director, RI District 3206, jointly flagged off the walkathon.
After the event, Survajit S. Krishnan and Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan addressed the press. Survajit Krishnan said that the funds raised through the event would be handed over to Idhayangal Charitable Trust to support children from financially weaker sections suffering from Type 1 diabetes. He added that Rotary E-Club of Metrodynamix, along with Idhayangal Charitable Trust, is funding insulin pumps, medicines, and needles required by children fighting the disease.
Addressing the media, Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan explained that Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that predominantly affects children. When white blood cells mistakenly attack insulin-producing cells in the body, it leads to Type 1 diabetes. He advised parents to be alert if their children show symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and sudden weight loss, and urged them to immediately check blood sugar levels and consult a doctor.
He stressed that children with Type 1 diabetes should never skip insulin doses. With proper insulin intake, children can lead normal lives, but skipping insulin can have severe consequences.
Dr. Krishnan Swaminathan further said that Idhayangal Charitable Trust is currently supporting 3,400 children suffering from Type 1 diabetes across Tamil Nadu and five other states. The trust supports children undergoing treatment in government hospitals by providing world-class insulin, painless needles, blood sugar monitoring devices, and testing strips. In addition, the trust supports the educational needs of girl children from economically weaker sections. “We are working across 12 focus areas,” he added.
Speaking about the impact of Type 1 diabetes in Tamil Nadu, he said that the Tamil Nadu Type 1 Diabetes Registry was launched last year and currently has around 5,000 registered children. However, the actual number is estimated to be close to 15,000. Across India, nearly nine lakh children suffer from Type 1 diabetes, of whom four lakh are very young. Hence, there is an urgent need to create widespread awareness about the condition.
Rtn. Reshma Ramesh, Rtn. Mahesh Prabhu, and Rtn. Sujay Shroff organised the event. All participants were awarded medals and provided free goody bags containing snacks, buttermilk, and breakfast.
