The Wings for Life World Run (WFLWR) is happening in two weeks on Sunday 4 May. This annual, global event aims to raise funds for spinal cord injury research with the specific goal of finding a cure for spinal cord injury. Ahead of the event, WFLWR ambassador Sandile Mkhize joined the team at Skills Village Radio to share the importance of the event.
“I was injured in 2013 from a motorcycle accident,” he shared during the interview. “After many years of therapy and healing, my therapist asked me to check out the race.”
He quickly developed a passion for the event and cause. Now he aims to get as many people to sign up for the event as all entry fees are donated to the Wings for Life Foundation, which funds various research projects.
“I just find my role in it is to help get the message out there; get people to sign up. The more resources, the more research can be done. Hopefully we find a cure in my lifetime,” he noted.
Sandile has been participating in the race for over a decade with plans to continue supporting it for as long as he is able. His favourite moment of the event thus far was when he raced from Cape Town to Johannesburg over ten days in 2017 to finish at the WFLWR in Centurion.
The event, and his role as ambassador, has enabled him to live out his purpose – to leave this world a better place.
“I was confronted with my mortality after my injury. Through a lot of searching and trying to make sense of the madness of the time, I realised that the only thing I truly care about deeply is leaving this world a better place than I found it,” he shared.
“This has been the motivation try to do good, be kind and understanding, and contribute. I do this because it makes me feel happy, and I do this because it makes me feel useful. If I can eventually contribute to something that can help people not go through what I went through, of course I’ll give it all my energy,” he added.
He encourages everyone to participate in the event and make an active contribution: “For everyone participating or anyone who would like to participate, it is really something that matters. It is also a good way to spend the day. It is a way to actively contribute and making people’s lives better.”
“I will be at the Centurion event. It will be lovely to meet in person, exchange some high fives and maybe some beers.”
The WFLWR has a moving finish line with the Catcher Car passing racers. For this reason, it is perfect for participants of any ability or fitness! You can register for the event on the WFLWR website.
