As the final preparations for the 2023 LifeCycle Challenge get under way, the LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation took a momentous pause to unveil its narrative on the silver screen at the premiere of the movie "Blood Sweat and Gears".
The movie was screened at Spazju Kreattiv Cinema, St James Cavalier, on 6 November to an audience composed of people involved in the LifeCycle journey, either currently or in the past, including cyclists, volunteers, sponsors, kidney donors and, most importantly, renal patients.
"Blood Sweat and Gears" is a local cinematic production that tells the story of individuals suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease, whose adversity gave way to one of the greatest expressions of solidarity through sports in Maltese history. The film follows their personal journeys which become intertwined with that of the LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation and the LifeCycle Challenge. The patients' stories, narrated against the clinical and domestic backdrop, are set alongside the inspiring scenery and behind the scenes footage shot during the 2022 LifeCycle Challenge in Argentina and Chile.
As the tales of different people come to life on the screen, ultimately merging into a collective effort to conquer a challenge with a shared objective, their paths diverge once again with the cyclists completing their challenge and the patients carrying on, braving the illness and its life altering consequences. However, the seed of hope has been sown and another LifeCycle Challenge awaits.
Commenting on the movie, the founder of LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation Alan Curry stated: "The movie is a vivid account of how far we have come along since the Foundation was set up back in 1999. It also conveys a message of hope, perseverance and endurance by showing how empathy and determination helped to improve the lives of so many people affected by renal disease. It's not just the story of our past; it's a testament to our vision for the future."
Over the years, the LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation has raised over Eur3 million and remains the only voluntary organisation that raises funds to support renal patients in Malta and Gozo, to help fund research into renal disease and raise awareness on kidney health. It aims to raise a further Eur200,000 through this year's LifeCycle Challenge.
In 22 past editions, the LifeCycle Challenge has seen cyclists visiting 53 countries and cycling an impressive total of 40,317 kilometres. In the coming weeks, a group of cyclists shall be wrapping
up their 16-week intensive training programme before departing for Bangkok, Thailand on 23 November for the 2023 LifeCycle Challenge. Cycling along a 2,000-kilometre route in 10 days, the group is expected to reach Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on 8 December.
The 2023 LifeCycle Challenge is supported by the main sponsor Nescafé, together with Smart Technologies Ltd, Technoline Ltd, Farsons Foundation, Laferla Insurance, JPA, The Web Ally, McDonald's, Borg Cardona & Co Ltd and Salini Resort.
Donations to the LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation can be made via Revolut on 9932 9101, by PayPal on this link: https://buff.ly/35g17CC and via SMS: 5061 7370 for €2.33; 5061 8920 for €6.99; 5061 9229 for €11.65; or via a call to 5160 2020 for €10; 5170 2005 for €15; and 5180 2006 for €25.
Donations can be made also via bank transfers via Swift code VALLMTMT, IBAN MT 18 VALL 22013000000014814521017, with the Bank name being Bank of Valletta, and account number 14814521017.
The LifeCycle Foundation is registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations - VO/0529
For more information, one can visit https://lifecyclefoundation.com or https://www.facebook.com/LifeCycleChallenge