Indian women to raise sh400m for cancer institute

By Patrick Jaramogi

The Indian Women Association (IWA) has launched a drive to raise funds to support the Uganda Cancer Institute as it celebrates its golden jubilee. 

The association chairperson Gurmeet Kaur said the targeted sh400m is to be realized from the IWA golden jubilee charity race. The money will be used to purchase machines for the cancer institute at Mulago hospital.

“As the Olympic fever reaches fever peak, we decided to hold this charity race to support the cancer patients at Mulago,” said Gurmeet. She said the sharp increase in the number of cancer patients in Mulago was worrying.

Gurmeet said the charity race for September 23 at Kati Kati will be organized in conjunction with the Uganda Athletics Foundation (UAF) and the Uganda Cancer Institute. 

“The race will be divided into 5 and 10 kilometers attracting children as young as 12 and adults,” she said. 

IWA chairman board of Trustees, Rajni Tailor said the charity race would be an annual event to raise funds to equip the cancer institute.

“IWA has been instrumental in supporting humanitarian activities in Uganda and will now put more focus on equipping the cancer institute,” said Taylor. 

Dr. Martin Origa from the cancer institute said 80 percent of the patients at the institute are women diagnosed with cancer of the cervix. “There is a sharp increase in the number of cancer cases among women.

Cancer can be handled if detected early,” said Origa a gynecologist.

He pointed out that focus will now be on prevention and early screening.

Source: New Vision