Hi, My name is Dr Deepak Garg and I‘m an ophthalmologist by profession, and I have a passion for running.

In 2024 I will be doing my 13th marathon, but this time I won’t be running to better my time or technique, I will be running to support the children of the Jai Vakeel Foundation.

The Jai Vakeel foundation supports 700 children with Intellectual Disability on their campus in Mumbai. 76% of their children come from lower social economic backgrounds. 100% have moderate to severe intellectual disability oftentimes with a co-current disability.

From diagnosis to healthcare, therapies and education, to a sheltered workshop, Jai Vakeel works with children from age 3 to 50 years old. That’s almost a lifetime. That just blew me away.

My visit to their campus recently came about as my children’s school - BIS engages a lot with Jai Vakeel for community service, and one of my long-term patients is a volunteer there.

To see the children, the staff and volunteers dedicate themselves everyday to make each day better really made me want to contribute.

I hope you will support me as I put on my running shoes to champion the children of Jai Vakeel.