Hello

Your subscription is almost coming to an end. Don’t miss out on the great content on Nation.Africa

Ready to continue your informative journey with us?

Hello

Your premium access has ended, but the best of Nation.Africa is still within reach. Renew now to unlock exclusive stories and in-depth features.

Reclaim your full access. Click below to renew.

Cancer Run: Rotary launches $1m GoFundMe drive

Rotary International President Urchick (2nd row C) at the launch of the 2025 Cancer Run. PHOTO/ABDUL-NASSER SSEMUGABI 

What you need to know:

To tap into global audience, Rotary has also introduced the $1m campaign, a GoFundMe initiative launched by Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick at Nsambya Hospital Training School Wednesday morning.

What Rotary Uganda has done in the 13 years of the Cancer Run, for example establishing a fully functional cancer ward, is already commendable by any standards, yet according to the extent of the cancer burden, they feel as if they haven’t started the race.

So to up the pace towards the completion of the radiotherapy centre at Nsambya Hospital, Rotary has launched the 2025 Cancer Run much earlier to attract as many runners and donations as possible.

To tap into global audience, Rotary has also introduced the $1m campaign, a GoFundMe initiative launched by Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick at Nsambya Hospital Training School Wednesday morning.

“The establishment of a cancer treatment centre in Uganda is going to help many people who may not be able to seek treatment outside the country and I believe that’s the majority of people,” said Urchick, who is presiding over a series of Rotary events until January 11.

Urchick, whose mother died of cancer, called cancer a major global health concern and was the first donor to the GoFundMe campaign with $100m (about Shs370,000).   

“The app is going to enable in the world anyone to contribute any amount to the cancer programme and I encourage every Rotarian to use it to make this place [Nsambya] even more magical than it already is,” Urchick said.

“Special recognition goes to the Catholic Church through the hospital for offering the land on which the cancer centre is being constructed.”

She also commended the support of the government and sponsors, like Centenary Bank, “who have been part of the cause for multiple years.”

Centenary, the pioneer sponsors, donated Shs500m, and Haris International donated Shs550m, among others.   

Rita Balaka, chairperson Cancer Run 2025, said if each Rotarian contributed $1, the $1m target would be hit almost effortlessly. Donations will be made by scanning the QR code which will be shared across Rotary platforms. What’s more, you don’t need to be online. A donation of Shs100,000 or more will be recognised with a special jersey.

“But the fundraising will continue because there’s still much more to do in the fight against cancer,” Balaka said, welcoming USAID, who joined with a three-year offer of $750,000 (Shs2.7b) to sponsor prostate, breast, and cervical cancer screening, HIV screening ad testing, tuberculosis screening with mobile X-rays, non-communicable disease care and maternal and child health including nutrition services across the country.

About 70 percent of cancer patients in Uganda die within a year of diagnosis. Balaka said it’s because most people don’t seek regular check-ups “yet if detected early, most cancers can be cured,” amplifying the theme: Awareness to Personal Action.

2025 CANCER RUN BRIEFLY

Edition: 14

Theme: Awareness to Personal Action

When: August 31,

Where: Kololo Airstrip

Expected turn-up: 60,000 runners

GoFundMe target: $1m (Shs3.6b)

Ultimate Goal: Radiotherapy Centre

DONATIONS

USAID: $750,000 (for three years)

Haris International: Shs550m

Centenary Bank: Shs500m