By Benjamin Mwibo

Centenary Bank, through its partnership with Rotary Uganda, has convened over 50,000 runners for the 13th edition of the annual Cancer Run marathon at the UMA Grounds in Kampala.

This year’s Rotary Cancer Run has been themed, “Spread Magic in Every Step’, aimed at raising 4bn Ugx for the construction of two bunkers at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya.

The bunkers hope to house a state of the art LINAC cancer testing and treatment machines focused at increasing the support towards the fight against cancer prevalence in Uganda.

Centenary Bank’s Managing Director, Rtn. Fabian Kasi, expressed gratitude to Ugandans for their collective efforts in combating cancer, during the run, “Like every year, I am thrilled to see thousands of you join us today in the fight against cancer through the Rotary Cancer Run 2024,” he said.

For 13 years, Centenary Bank has been honored to partner with Rotary Uganda, many other partners and millions of Ugandans here and abroad, on this cause. As a responsible corporate citizen, we remain committed to making a positive impact through the environment, social and governance initiatives such as this annual run.

Kasi also indicated that with over 3,300 staff from 82 branches participating in the run, 380 million contributions in both cash and kind, the bank reaffirms its commitment to completing the bunker. Urging other corporations to join in this life saving efforts they pave the way for expansion to other towns.

He however , highlighted the bank’s ongoing support that each year, Centenary Bank allocates 2% of the previous year’s profits to support vital causes spanning health, education, and environment sectors as well as the church and Islam.

“Most importantly, let us remain vigilant and supportive of one another, embodying the spirit of community and compassion that brought us together today. Together, we can create a safer, healthier world for all,” Kasi stated.

He added that the cancer run has made a profound impact in the fight against cancer over the past twelve years, raising a staggering Ushs. 4.36 billion. This remarkable achievement has led to the establishment of a 36-bed cancer treatment center, equipping the center with vital equipment worth over USD 150,000, and constructing two bunkers to house state of the art Linear accelerator cancer testing and treatment machines.

Additionally, funds from earlier runs have made significant contributions, including the construction of the Rotary Centenary Bank Cancer Ward, at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, using funds from 2012-2014, and the establishment of the Rotary Blood Bank at Mengo Hospital with Ushs. 200m from the 2015 run, and support for phase 1A of the cancer center’s (bankers) construction from 2016-2021,he said.

These accomplishments demonstrate the Rotary Cancer Run’s significant strides in combating cancer, and they look forward to continued progress and impact in the years to come, Kasi described.

Joseph Balikuddembe, the Executive Director of Centenary Bank, thanked Ugandans for their constant support towards the effort to eliminate the cancer scourge while flagging off the run.

He said that for 13 years, their united efforts have been a great stride in the fight against cancer.m, therefore the participation of the people, generosity, and dedication have empowered Rotary and its partners to make a tangible difference as they strive to reach more lives and create a healthier community. I implore you to continue this remarkable journey, Balikuddembe emphasized.

“Together, we can amplify the impact, accelerate progress, and end the suffering caused by cancer. Let us run with unity, run with purpose, and run towards a brighter tomorrow. In its 13 years of existence, the cancer run has managed to register over 30,000 runners annually and the number of runners continues to grow.

The management concluded by appealing to Ugandans to prioritize healthy living, recognizing its critical link to a successful battle against cancer. “Let us remember that cancer is a universal threat, affecting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Let us also continue to prioritize health and well-being by making informed choices about the food eaten and the environments frequent.