For many years, charitable activities have been an integral part of the corporate culture of JSC "Nurbank". Every year, the bank organizes the Charity Music Run aimed at uniting lovers of a healthy lifestyle in general and running in particular, to help children with cancer. Traditionally, all proceeds are aimed at purchasing equipment for the Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, the bank's press service reported.
On September 10, 2023, the Charity Music Run took place in Almaty, gathering more than 1,500 running enthusiasts of various ages, becoming a true sporting holiday for the city's residents.
Registration fees were directed towards purchasing a cryogenic storage facility for the Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, allowing the storage of stem cells at -196°C for extended periods in liquid nitrogen.
"We organized our first run in 2018. Since then, the annual Charity Music Run has turned into a movement of mutual support and athletic achievements. Our mission is to help while promoting a healthy lifestyle. For every participant, it's important not only to challenge themselves but also to make an invaluable contribution to a good cause. This year, we procured and donated special equipment to the Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, which increases storage capacity for transplants and will, in the future, assist in providing program treatment for young patients with cancer and hematological diseases. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the event and supported our initiative," commented Gulnara Musataeva, Chairman of the Board at JSC "Nurbank".
The head of the children's oncology and hematology center at JSC "Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery", Candidate of Medical Sciences, pediatric oncologist/hematologist of the highest qualification category Gulnara Kaldenovna Abdyilova shared: "We've been collaborating with Nurbank, the organizer of the charity run, for more than five years. We have already established good traditions of cooperation. Over this time, we have made significant progress in the project of modernizing the material-technical base and upgrading the center. Our center is a unique medical institution where our highly professional doctors save hundreds of young patients every day. Every year, 2,500 children receive treatment in the oncology and hematology department. Thanks to the run participants and sponsor assistance, in 2018 we repaired washrooms and showers for parents whose children are in the oncology department." In 2019, using raised funds, the center acquired medical equipment - dewars for stem cell storage essential for bone marrow transplantation. In 2023, multi-functional beds were purchased for intensive care, facilitating rehabilitation and treatment by maintaining the most comfortable position for certain body parts of the sick child by changing tilt angles.
Today, cell technologies based on the use of stem cells are developing rapidly worldwide. From the moment stem cells are isolated, a medical worker has 72 hours to either transplant the cells or freeze them for the long term. The latter is often used for patients with oncological and hematological conditions. "The Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery has been engaged in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for over 10 years, accumulating a significant number of transplants in cryogenic storage. Moreover, with the introduction of new types of transplantation, there was a need for an additional cryogenic storage facility with even greater liquid nitrogen storage capacity. Today, in collaboration with LLP 'Medical Innovation Technologies' and JSC 'Nurbank', we have been provided with a special cryogenic storage facility, enabling us to store stem cells at -196°C for up to 10 years in liquid nitrogen. Thanks to this, we will be able to help our young patients receive treatment. We thank Nurbank, LLP 'Medical Innovation Technologies', and all the race participants," Gulnara Abdyilova added.