Annual Cancer Color Run: Give hope to every child with cancer.

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), Global Health Collaborative (GHC) and Masachusetts General Hospital (MGH)are organizing the 6^th annual Uganda Cancer Color Run, a marathon that will take place on 24^th July 2022. The theme for this year is “Give hope to every child with Cancer”.

The aim of the event is to create awareness in the community about cancer in children and the need to seek early treatment, available at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, in South-western Uganda. In addition, the run aims to raise funds to support the care of children with cancer. Our target for this year is 1000 runners, aiming to raise five million Uganda Shillings.

Dr. Kumbakumba  Elias, the Head, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health reports that over the last five years, the runs have yielded a lot for successes. MRRH is the only center that manages childhood cancers in western and south-western Uganda. An 18-bed capacity paediatric cancer ward was built and opened in May 2017. Full board care is provided to over 150 children newly diagnosed with cancer, and over 500 children are currently in care. The facilitation of staff at the Pediatric oncology clinic, (pharmacists, nurses and Pediatric oncology specialists) ensures there are highly trained, well-motivated staff to care for children with cancer. The cancer survival rate has now doubled to 50%. A lot of research is now taking place in the cancer services. A big thank you to all our partners, organizations and individuals that have contributed towards this noble cause over the years.

Dr Kumbakumba urges us to support and participate in this year’s run by buying marathon t-shirts in the category of 20,000 Uganda Shillings for the round collar T-shirts and 30,000 Uganda Shillings and taking the 5km marathon on 24^th July 2022. In addition, cash contributions and other forms of support are welcome.

The selling centres for T-shirts are Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Paediatric Ward, Golf Course Super Market, Global Health Collaborative offices in TASO, Public Relations Office at MUST. More centres TBC

For more information, call/whatsapp Dr Kumba on 0771895971 and Rhina on 0775404744.