RUN FOR NO CANCER 2021

2021/11/07

GSCH executed the 1st annual Run For NO Cancer, a community event aimed at increasing cancer awareness and establishing the value proposition of GSCH and Rural Outreach Program (ROP). Over 300 members of the community participated from all walks of life, including about 240 runners across 5 km, 10 km, and 15 km distances.The Honourable District Commissioner was the Chief Guest. In future, the Run For NO Cancer would be held annually on October 14, Mwalimu Nyerere Day, a national holiday.  

Hearty congratulations to the winners:

15 Km

1. Abdul Chapa (Mahenge)

2. Frank Charles (KVTC-Mavimba)

3. Danstan Maumba (KVTC-Mavimba)

10 Km

1. Walter Steven Lyakurwa (Ifakara Runners)

2. Joseph Daniel (S Rafael Secondary School)

3. Boniface Francis (Aurobindo Pharmacy, Dar Es Salaam)

5 Km

1. Joseph Simon (Mlabani Primary School)

2. Gerald Haly (Kiyongwile Secondary School)

3. Grayson Hally (Mapinduzi Primary School)

Sponsorship and event support gratefully acknowledged from: 

• Anudha Limited
• Aurobindo Pharma
• Bhojani Chemists
• Catholic Diocese of Ifakara
• CRDB Bank
• Edgar Maranta School of Nursing
• Ifakara Health Institute
• Kasekele Holdings
• Kessy Hardware
• Kilombero District Administration            
• Kilombero Valley Teak Company
• Kingcollins School
• Kiwango Store
• METL - Teak Log Company
• Missionaries of Compassion
• NMB Bank
• Prime Timber & A J Quality Timber
• SoftAfya Company Limited
• St Francis Referral Hospital         
• St Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences
• St Mary's International School
• St Rafael's Secondary School

        TANESCO

• Tanzania Commercial Bank
• Tanzania Training Centre for International Health
• Tigo Tanzania    
• Zeepyi Pharmaceuticals

The background is that Good Samaritan Cancer Hospital (GSCH Ifakara) is a non-profit private hospital located at Ifakara, built by the Missionaries of Compassion.  Inaugurated in February 2020, GSCH is a 100-bed hospital providing advanced cancer treatment. GSCH is the only rural cancer hospital in Tanzania. Moreover, GSCH is the only rural hospital in Tanzania (and the third in Africa) to provide Radiotherapy using Halcyon LINAC, and the first in Tanzania to provide 3D Brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

GSCH has faced challenges in spreading health and cancer awareness among rural communities, increasing the utilization of the hospital facilities and advanced equipment, and reducing the risks of late stage presentation and metastasis (spread of cancer across organs). Over the year 2020-21, medical teams of GSCH travelled and conducted several pilot Rural Outreach Camps (ROC) in Kilombero district, Morogoro region, as a part of the Rural Outreach Programme (ROP). Cancer awareness was taught, and free cancer screening was conducted for cervical, breast and prostate cancer for over 850 adults. The results were concerning. The cancer detection rates were found to be significant:  cervical cancer 21.6% and breast cancer 2.1 % of screened ladies, and prostate cancer 12.9 % of screened gentlemen.

Due to the extensive prevalence of cancer, GSCH aims to conduct free cancer screening to detect and treat cancer. GSCH seeks partner support to conduct outreach camps across Morogoro and other regions in Tanzania in order to deliver quality cancer care.  GSCH would like to collaborate with the members of the Ifakara Health Cluster and entities worldwide to raise cancer awareness and the value proposition of the Rural Outreach Program (ROP).