KAMPALA – Owing Coronavirus disruptions —requiring social distancing and a ban on public gathering, the 2020 edition of Rotary Cancer Run will be organized virtually, organisers said at a press conference held at Hotel Africana.
The 2020 Rotary Cancer Run, one of the major fundraising vehicles of the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme will be held on August 30 and runners will participate at home while watching proceedings on the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme website (www.ugandarotarycancer.org?) ??and official Rotary Cancer Run ?Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/RotaryCancerRunUg/?) starting with aerobics 2020 starting at 7.00am.
This will be first such virtual run in Uganda following the restrictions and limitation brought about by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Technology gives us options to participate from anywhere in the world. Like we have seen with meetings, we can all take part in this year’s Rotary Cancer Run by running, walking or simply doing exercise at home or in our neighborhoods,” former Rotary District Governor (Uganda and Tanzania) Stephen Mwanje who is also Chair of the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme revealed.
“However, you must adhere to social distancing guidelines as issued by the government,” he noted adding that those who participate, will be able to download a certificate of participation from the website.
“I encourage all of you to wear your previous Rotary Cancer Run vest on that day and take a photo or video and share on your social media platforms with the hashtag #RotaryCancerRun2020,” Mwanje urged the public.
Rotary District Governor Rosetti Nabbumba Nayenga said that they are now involved in Food and Nutrition campaign to promote healthy living and appealed to the public to exercise, eat healthy, and go for regular medical check ups.
“This Rotary year, we are focusing on Food and Nutrition (FAN) as a key objective. Health experts tell us that if we eat healthy and exercise we can avoid cancer. I appeal to all Rotarians and Ugandans at large to practice healthy living, which is one of the ways to fight cancer,” she said.
She added that the Rotary Cancer Run this year comes at a challenging time when COVID-19 is wrecking havoc in our district. “We continue to appeal to people to do everything they can to avoid contracting this disease as well as spreading it. At the same time, we should not forget that cancer still exists and kills many people,” she said.
On his side, Mr. Fabian Kasi, the MD Centenary Bank said that the work on eradicating cancer, building awareness, palliative care still needs all much support.
“We haven’t yet raised enough money as part of this campaign to build the Bunker at Nsambya hospital. The linear accelerator machines are not yet here too. We therefore still need all your contribution and support. So, even if this year there are no vests to buy, please donate as you can to this cause,” he said.
“Our support to the Rotary Cancer Run and other programs has been on for 9 years now, and I believe through collaborative efforts, we can impact the lives of those in the communities where we operate as individuals and businesses,” adding that, “This year, we have set aside Ushs.100 million as our contribution to this agenda.”
“On top of this, we have made provision for both customers and non-customers to remit their Cancer Run payments and donations through our Centemobile platform and over 4,000 CenteAgents country-wide. We shall also be part of other cancer awareness campaigns planned for this year,” Mr Kasi added.
Since it’s initiation in 2012, the Rotary Cancer Run has attracted over 50,000 participants annually from Uganda, and the diaspora who have supported either through direct donations, charity drives, or by attending the run to raise funds to set up facilities for Cancer treatment in Uganda, a sign of their commitment to fighting the Cancer scourge in the country.
To date, the fight against cancer has raised more than Shs3 billion, part of which has been used to build the Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Centre in Nsambya hospital and the Rotary Blood Bank in Mengo Hospital. Both are operational.
The proceeds from this year’s run will go towards the construction of the bunkers at Nsambya Hospital. “Construction of the bunkers is slated to start this August, ”Mwanje further revealed.
Participants in the Rotary Cancer Run 2020 will not have kits specifically for thus year. “We encourage people and organisations to make a donation as they can afford. We have also availed Rotary Cancer Run branded face masks at Ushs. 10,000 that one can purchase to identify with this cause while the donations can be made directly to the cancer run account 3100023145, you can also deposit using your nearest CenteAgent or Centenary Bank branch,” revealed Denis Jjuuko, chair for this year’s Rotary Cancer Run organizing committee.
Centenary Bank customers may pay using their CenteMobile App Platform by dialing *211# and following the prompts. You can also pay using visa from the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme website.
The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) Executive Director, Dr. Jackson Orem at a press conference last week decried rising cancer patient numbers, revealing the Institute received almost 7000 new cancer patients at both Mulago and Mbarara Regional Cancer Center.
