Sachin Tendulkar bats for prevention of cardiac diseases in children

Retired batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday donated Rs 10 lakh to Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children while initiating awareness on prevention of cardiac disease among children.

"I would like to donate Rs 10 lakh along with my wife to sponsor a ventilator in the hospital," Tendulkar, who announced the 'Little Hearts Marathon' in Mumbai said.

The marathon, which will be held on February 9 from Siddhivinayak Temple to the hospital, is aimed at spreading awareness about cardiac care in children.

"It is a great honour for me to be supporting this noble initiative by Dr. (Yeshwant) Amdekar (the Medical Director at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children). It is about raising awareness and raising money," the 40-year old said.

The iconic batsman said that Dr. Amdekar played a similar role for his wife Anjali what his coach Ramakant Achrekar did for him.

"What Achrekar sir is to me, Dr. Amdekar sir is to her. He has a huge role in guiding her to become a doctor (pediatrician)," Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar, who also visited a few of the wards, said he was moved by a girl's story.

"I was just walking through the wards and I got numbed when I met a girl, who many years ago had come to this hospital for a treatment and that time she couldn't get it because she didn't have money. And today, she has money but unfortunately cannot do it," he said.

"It is one of those rare cases that nothing can be done. As a parent I feel so difficult to accept that you are going to lose your child and that thought numbed me completely," the father of two said.

He said there is a need to provide facilities and urged people to donate.

"We are living in 2014 and it is all about the infrastructure provided to our doctors. It is just about providing facilities. Doctors are willing to do in whatever possible manner. I would urge to every person to contribute in whatever possible manner," he said.