2.5 Billion Shillings Raised from Rotary Cancer Run 2024
By Rtn Sylvia Nankya
Up to 2.5 billion Shillings was raised from the 13th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run which was held this Sunday at the Millenium Park in Lugogo, Kampala and towns across Uganda.
The Run which attracted more than 50,000 runners in three races, helps to raise awareness about cancer, the second-leading cause of death worldwide. This year, it was held under the theme; Spread Magic in Every Step which was drawn from the Magic of Rotary theme set by Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick.
The Highlights of the Run included a big group of Kenyan Rotarians who joined the run and according to them; Ugandan Rotarians are the real deal and are tackling the real issues. The other highlights included a raffle in which Namuddu Hilder Robinah a 5th year Medical Student at Makerere University walked away with the land title from Bakaima Group.
Moses Golola’s Gimmicks, Crystal Panda, Zumba, spinning and the introduction of the food court all made the millennium park the place to be on Sunday.
Cancer occurs when changes in a group of normal cells within the body lead to uncontrolled, abnormal growth forming a lump called a tumour; this is true of all cancers except leukaemia (cancer of the blood).
If left untreated, tumours can grow and spread into the surrounding normal tissue, or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic systems, and can affect the digestive, nervous and circulatory systems or release hormones that may affect body function.
But many cancer patients in Uganda never receive treatment due to poor social-economic status of the patients, inadequate infrastructure for cancer care, and inefficiencies in the health care system. The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), the only comprehensive cancer treatment centre in the country registers about 4,000 new cancer patients a year.
On the basis of this, the run was conceived and its proceeds are being used to set up a fully fledged cancer treatment centre at Nsambya Hospital. This year, the run targeted to raise 4 billion shillings from sponsors and kit sales. Sponsors included Parliament of Uganda, Krystal Natural Mineral Water, NBS Sport, Centenary Bank, New Vision, Uganda Marketers Society, and Bakaima Group, among others.
Rtn Micheal Niyitegeka, the chair of the drive this Rotary year said the run was an amazing experience.
If you missed this, please do not miss next year.
Key Cancer Facts
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide.
- 10 million people die from cancer every year.
- More than 40% of cancer-related death could be preventable as they are linked to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, poor diet and physical inactivity.
- Almost at least one third of all deaths related to cancer could be prevented through routine screening, and early detection and treatment.
- 70% of cancer deaths occur in low-to-middle income countries.
- Millions of lives could be saved each year by implementing resource appropriate strategies for prevention, early detection and treatment.
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is estimated at US$1.16 trillion.