CANCER RUN 4 TO BUILD BLOOD BANK AT MENGO HOSPITAL

CANCER RUN 4 TO BUILD BLOOD BANK AT MENGO HOSPITAL: By Dr. Brenda Anena

The 4^th edition of annual Rotary Cancer run was launched on 21^st July 2015 at a breakfast meeting at Sheraton Kampala hotel.  The run will take place on Sunday August 30^th 2015 at Kololo ceremonial grounds.

The function was graced by the Vice president of the republic of Uganda, HE. Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi , a rotarian in his own right who applauded rotary for its commitment to reducing suffering among Ugandans through fighting cancer.

The chairman of the Uganda Rotary Cancer program, PDG Stephen Mwanje thanked all the partners that have been with rotary since the initiation of this program for their commitment through which rotary was able to construct a cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital. He thanked all Rotarians who organized, mobilized and gave in order to see this project to completion.  He also clarified that the Rotary Cancer run 4 will be dedicated to constructing a blood bank at Mengo hospital.

This will be the first privately owned blood bank in the country and will aim at bridging the gap as regards shortage of blood. Current insuffient amounts of blood are collected, processed and stored by the available blood banks and thus prompting rotary through the Uganda Blood bank program under the able leadership of PDG Emmanuel Katongole to set out on this project.

At this fuction, the platinum sponsors for this year’s, Rotary cancer run were unveiled. They are, Centenary bank with a contribution of 107 million Uganda shillings and Crown Beverages through their Pepsi brand that committed 150 million shillings. These were represented by Mr. Percy Lubega , chief manager business development at centenary bank and Crown beverages managing director, Mr. Simon Lugoloobi.

Over the next one year, rotary will be looking to raise close to 800,000USD in order to construct the blood bank .

The appeal is to all individuals and companies to rise up, register, give, run and lets build a blood bank at Mengo Hospital.

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