Thousands Join this Year's Rotary Cancer Run

The streets of Kampala buzzed with energy on Sunday, August 25th, as thousands of runners from across the country gathered for the 13th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run.

The event is aimed to raise funds and awareness for the ongoing battle against cancer in Uganda, a nation facing a growing cancer crisis.

With approximately 35,000 new cancer cases diagnosed annually in Uganda, and an alarming 22,000 lives lost each year due to late diagnosis, the urgency of this cause was palpable among the participants.

The Rotary Cancer Run has become a vital initiative in addressing these challenges, uniting people from all walks of life in their commitment to fighting cancer.

This year's run focused on supporting the construction of a state-of-the-art cancer center and bunker at Nsambya Hospital, a project set to be completed by 2027.

However, the initiative currently faces a significant funding gap of Ug.Shs 9 billion, making the continued support of events like the Rotary Cancer Run more critical than ever.

Governor Steven Mwanje, chairman of the Rotary Cancer Run, expressed profound gratitude to the participants, recognizing their unwavering support as a driving force behind the project's progress.

"The cancer center and bunker will revolutionize cancer care in Uganda, providing access to life-saving treatments for countless patients," Mwanje said, urging more partners to contribute to this noble cause.

Rotary leaders, including Mable Claire Nankya and Henry Luzinda, also took the opportunity to highlight the intertwined importance of cancer awareness and environmental conservation efforts.

They emphasized that the health of the environment directly impacts public health, stressing the need for a holistic approach to creating a sustainable and healthy future for Uganda.