The fifth edition of the annual Rotary Cancer Run has been boosted with support of eight million shillings from Vivo Energy Uganda, the company that markets and distributes Shell-branded products.
The charity run, is organised to raise funds towards the completion of the Rotary Cancer Ward at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala. Rotarians in Uganda have partnered with various companies to improve testing, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Previous annual runs delivered a new Cancer Ward block at the same hospital.
This year, the Rotary Cancer Run will mainly focus on raising the funds needed to equip the Cancer Ward with a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator is a cancer treatment machine that offers a safer treatment alternative where cancerous cells are destroyed without affecting the surrounding tissue.
The World Health Organisation annual report notes that 16 million people over the world die prematurely before the age of 70 due to non-communicable diseases, with cancer-related deaths being the majority.
According to the Uganda Cancer Institute, there are daily new cases of head and neck cancer which affect the throat, larynx, nose, sinus cavities and, mouth. This has been blamed on the delinquency of alcohol and tobacco use, with the most affected age group being between 30 to 40 year olds.
Vivo Energy Uganda wants to make a real and lasting difference to the communities in which it operates. The company wants to create lasting social and economic benefits for the communities where it operates and engage with them to earn their respect and trust.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, at Shell Bugolobi service station, Vivo Energy Managing Director Hans Paulsen said that the company is honoured to be part of an initiative that will go a long way in ensuring that more Ugandans live a cancer-free life. “Cancer remains a major threat to people’s health around the world therefore the Ward once completed, will help to complement the current limited facilities in the country,” said Hans.
“Cancer prevention, screening, and treatment programmes are very expensive for many ailing Ugandans. It is therefore important for corporate companies to join the Rotary Family in the fight against this burden.” Stephen Mwanje, Past Rotary District Governor and Chair Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme noted.
“Rotary is about service to humanity and we are very pleased that Vivo Energy is joining us at the Rotary Cancer Run 2016 to deliver both the Linear Accelerator and a bunker at Nsambya Hospital”, he added.