Suwanee, GA, October 14, 2025: In a powerful showing of community spirit and support for health and wellness, Greater Atlanta Telangana Society (GATeS) and Care Bridge Initiative came together to organize a 5K walk & run and health education event at Chattahoochee Pointe Park in Suwanee, Georgia. The event drew enthusiastic participation from across the Atlanta area and was hailed a success, combining fitness, health education, and charitable giving into one inspiring morning.
The day began with an energetic Zumba warm-up session led by Shireesha Mantri, setting a positive tone for the event. Participants of all ages joined in, emphasizing the growing focus on community-wide health and well-being.
Following the warm-up, the 5K walk and run commenced, with participants enjoying the scenic route along the Chattahoochee River. Families, children, and seniors alike joined in, showcasing the event’s inclusive and supportive spirit.
As part of the event’s commitment to holistic health, Care Bridge Initiative organized a post-race preventive health education session featured prominent speakers from the medical community:
• Dr. Sreeni Gangasani, Cardiologist, Cardiovascular Group, spoke on heart disease prevention.
• Dr. Vijaya Gunna, Endocrinologist, Endocrinology and Diabetes of Georgia, shared insights on diabetes prevention.
• Shobha Swamy, Certified Food for Life Instructor with Annapoorna Holistic Nutrition, offered practical tips on healthy dietary modifications, particularly for the South Asian community.
Medical students from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Georgia Hearts organization also participated by conducting blood pressure screenings and CPR demonstrations for attendees, emphasizing the event’s educational focus and youth engagement.
Care Bridge Initiative, a nonprofit organization founded by Suma Gangasani, aims to make healthcare and preventive health education more accessible. After hearing numerous reports about individuals collapsing and dying from sudden cardiac arrest, Gangasani was motivated to organize an event focused on chronic disease prevention.
“These sudden cardiac events aren’t limited to older adults. It’s becoming increasingly common to hear stories about younger, active individuals being impacted too,” said Suma. “It’s hit particularly close to home for many of us in the South Asian community, where issues like heart disease and diabetes are so common.”
“By partnering with GATeS and bringing health experts directly into the community, my goal was to encourage people to take these issues more seriously and recognize the importance of caring for their health through leading an active lifestyle, making healthier dietary choices, and getting regular checkups and screenings, even when they feel fine. Prevention starts with awareness,” she added.
Top finishers of the 5K were recognized in an awards ceremony, and a healthy breakfast station provided nutritious conclusion to the morning’s activities.
Special thanks were extended to the GATeS Executive Committee and Board of Directors for their exceptional planning and execution, as well as Pranavi Edupuganti, Nanda Chatla, PCOM Georgia Hearts, and all volunteers for their contributions to making the event a success.
Proceeds from the event will go towards purchasing supplies to donate to the Hope Clinic, a nonprofit primary care clinic in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
The Atlanta community showed strong appreciation for the event’s emphasis on wellness, education, and unity. Many attendees expressed joy at seeing children actively participating, making it a truly family-friendly occasion. The success of this event highlights the growing commitment of local organizations and residents to promote preventive health, community engagement, and active lifestyles.
