WOW: 103-Year-Old Retired Doctor Walks Month-Long Marathon to Fund COVID-19 Research

MD News Daily - 103 Yr Old runs a marathon for COVID-19 — (Photo : Yves Herman) Alfons Leempoels, a 103-year-old Belgian man, was inspired by a British Tom Moore, who was able to raise around $40 million for public health services by walking around his garden with a walking frame

A 103-year-old man hopes to give financial assistance for coronavirus research. According to a report, the 103-year old Belgian named Alfons Leempoels, who is also a retired medical practitioner, intends to raise money by doing ten laps around his garden.

His daily routine begins by walking three laps in the morning, which is then followed by three laps in the afternoon and lastly by four rounds in the evening. In total, he walks about 159 yards per day. To keep track of his progress, Leempoels uses a stick and drops it into a bowl for each time he finishes a lap.

The Marathon Fund Inspiration

Leempoels was inspired by British 99-year-old Tom Moore walked around his garden in his walker for a benefit fund two months ago. Moore, a World War II veteran, managed to raise millions for public health funding for the NHS.

Leempoels also admitted that his children also played a significant role in this brilliant advocacy.

"So they suggested that maybe I should do something. My granddaughter had just run a marathon, and as a joke, I said: I will run a marathon," he said.

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Why dedicate the funding to Coronavirus?

For the Belgian, it was more than just putting out his brains to good use by exercising. As a former physician, he was touched by how the University of Leuven doctors constantly worked in finding a COVID-19 treatment. He wanted to give something back to help them achieve their goal.

He also mentioned that he remembers plenty of individuals catching the Asian flu during the late 1950s. But somehow, those that were afflicted by the influenza pandemic immediately recovered, unlike this new affliction, which has terrorized the whole planet.

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Asian flu, which was also known as influenza A virus subtype H2N2. It killed at a minimum of 1 million people worldwide; and it had its origins in East Asia.

According to Silvie, the scientists in the United States already assessed that it was a new strain of flu. But they made earlier preparations by issuing a warning by September. A flu vaccine was manufactured, which bypassed plenty of government red tape just to hasten the treatment process.

How Much Has the Leempoels Raised So Far?

Leempoels has already covered a distance that is equivalent to one part of three equal parts of a marathon. He began his 42.2 km walkathon last June 1 in the town of Rotselaar, which is located northeastern to Brussels. His target date for the whole journey is by June 30. So far, he has raised around $6,800.