For the past few months, as many as 24 drugs have been missing or in dangerously scarce supply in the stocks of the National Cancer Institute.
Difficulties in funding the supply of these drugs means that the Institute- which provides free care for cancer patients- is unable to make this treatment available. “We need to raise awareness on this issue as well as the other challenges faced by people who are battling cancer,” declares Hassan Ismail-Project Chairperson of the Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown’s latest venture- Run for their Lives.
And this is exactly what ‘Run for their Lives’ will focus on doing. Activists will, at 8 am on December 12, put their running shoes on, literally running for the lives of the cancer patients who receive treatment from the Institute in Maharagama. “With this event, explains Hassan, “our focus is on creating awareness and raising funds for urgently needed medical supplies.
However, there are many other issues which need attention. So the plan is to take up the challenge to make this an annual event where we can turn Run for their Lives into an ongoing effort to provide help to the Institute.”
Starting from Independence Avenue the 5 Kilometre run will follow a circuitous route which will end at Independence Square where the participants will be awarded certificates.
“We are really looking forward to seeing what the response to the run will be,” says Hassan. “There have been many walks organized with the cause of increasing awareness. But there has, to our knowledge, never been a charity run in Sri Lanka, which is why we felt it would be of interest as a charity event
where awareness and funds are raised through active participation.”
The entry fee for the run is Rs. 500. Each participant can bring their own donations and/or get their family and friends to donate money in their name. Those who raise sponsorship of above Rs. 1000 will be awarded a certificate.
“Being fairly new to the Rotaract movement, there have been challenges which we have had to deal with,” explains Hassan, “but as a committee we have enjoyed working on this project and are looking forward to the outcome of it where we will hopefully be able to inspire a positive difference through our efforts and the generosity of the participants.”
Hopeful participants could download application forms off the Run for their Lives event page on Facebook or email runfortheirlives2010@gmail.com to obtain an application form. For further details contact Hassan on 0773979319. |
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