Thousands Turn Up for Rotary Cancer Run in a United Fight Against Cancer
David GOMBE
Thousands of people gathered at the Kololo Independence Grounds and major towns across the country to participate in the 14th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run, showing a united commitment to the fight against cancer.
Held under the theme “Many Cancers One Race”, this year’s run aims to raise funds for the completion of two bunkers that will house the two Linear Accelerator (LINAC) cancer treatment machines at the Rotary Cancer Centre, Nsambya Hospital. This initiative marks a significant milestone in expanding access to advanced cancer care across the country.
Centenary Bank has made significant progress with Rotary International and continues this journey through numerous projects spanning health, education, environmental preservation, and many other community activities. The Bank has supported other Rotary activities in addition to the run, like the 2 District conferences, medical camps, malaria program, peace program and tree growing initiatives.
As a long-standing strategic partner of Rotary International, Centenary Bank is a dedicated supporter of the Rotary Cancer Run since its inception, contributing to all 14 editions and donating over 3 billion Uganda Shillings towards the fight against cancer. Beyond the Cancer Run, the Bank has actively participated in over 150 health camps across the country in collaboration with Rotary.
The Bank has also supported a wide range of impactful initiatives, including the Vijana Powa youth program, the Rotary Peace Centre, national blood donation drives, district conferences, malaria prevention efforts, cancer awareness parades, and early detection media campaigns. Notably, the Bank played a key role in the construction of the Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Centre and the installation of radiotherapy bunkers at Nsambya Hospital.
This is part of the Bank’s ESG mandate, where the bank supports communities in various activities outside banking under the themes of health, education, environmental stewardship, and the social mission of the church. These include supporting hospitals with various needs like beds and machines, supporting schools with construction, textbooks and furniture, supporting communities with waste management, tree planting, sanitation equipment and supporting the church with items like church pews, events and financial literacy.
Every year, Centenary Bank dedicates 2% of its net profit towards impactful Corporate Social Investment initiatives such as this.
Being a platinum sponsor of the run, Centenary Bank, Uganda’s biggest indigenous bank contributed over UGX 600 million towards this year’s Cancer Run. This commitment is dedicated to ensuring that the bunkers project is completed so that cancer patients across the country can get the critical care they need to support the prevalence of cancer in Uganda.
Speaking at the run, Dr Fabian Kasi, Centenary Bank Managing Director, expressed gratitude to the participants, sponsors and partners who organised and turned up for the run. “You have given partners like Centenary Bank a chance at making a difference in the health sector, particularly in cancer. This year we were honoured to support and participate in the nation-wide medical camps that Rotary organised prior to run, where attendees were taken through various important medical checks, blood donation drives and education on early cancer detection. At Centenary Bank, our commitment to social responsibility is a principle embedded in our DNA,” he said.
The Rotary Cancer run continues to be a powerful movement for collective action in achieving a future where cancer is no longer perceived as a death sentence but a fight that we are well-equipped to face. Centenary Bank remains committed to standing in solidarity with Rotary to build a stronger and healthier Uganda.