The Metropolis of Kigali and Rotary Golf equipment in Rwanda have launched the Kigali Most cancers Stroll 2026, a fundraising marketing campaign aimed toward elevating $5 million (about Rwf7.2 billion) to amass Rwanda’s first Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scanner.
The marketing campaign, unveiled on Wednesday, July 15, will culminate in a charity stroll on August 9, bringing collectively people, firms, establishments and improvement companions to assist improved most cancers prognosis and therapy within the nation.
The initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Well being and seeks to handle a serious hole in specialised most cancers care, as sufferers at the moment journey overseas for SPECT scans.
A SPECT scanner is a sophisticated nuclear imaging machine that helps medical doctors consider how organs perform, detect the unfold of most cancers, monitor therapy response and establish illnesses at an early stage. Additionally it is utilized in diagnosing coronary heart, thyroid, kidney and neurological circumstances, together with epilepsy and Parkinson’s illness.
Rwanda information about 10,000 new most cancers circumstances and almost 7,000 cancer-related deaths yearly. Sufferers requiring SPECT scans at the moment journey to international locations akin to Kenya, South Africa and India, the place they typically wait between 4 and 12 weeks for appointments and pay between $1,500 and $3,000 for the scan alone, excluding journey and lodging prices.
The $5 million fundraising goal will cowl the acquisition of the scanner, delivery, set up, commissioning, radiation security licensing, workers coaching and the primary yr of upkeep. As soon as operational, the machine is predicted to serve greater than 5,000 sufferers yearly.
The marketing campaign will start with the August 9 Kigali Most cancers Stroll, the place individuals will buy strolling kits at Rwf25,000. Rotary officers stated fundraising efforts will proceed for the following two to a few years via contributions from people, companies, establishments and companions.
The stroll will begin on the BK Enviornment parking space, proceed to the Rwanda Growth Board (RDB), and finish at Kigali Conference Centre, the place individuals will participate in most cancers consciousness actions, free screenings and fundraising occasions.
Julian Kyula, President-elect of the Rotary Membership of Kigali Virunga, stated the initiative goals to make sure Rwandans can entry essential most cancers prognosis companies domestically as a substitute of travelling overseas.
“We wish to ensure that someday Rwandans can entry life-saving most cancers prognosis at dwelling. Each donor will obtain a monetary report exhibiting how their contribution has been used,” he stated.
Alexis Muderevu, former president of the Rotary Membership of Kigali Virunga, described the initiative as a nationwide name to motion that requires collective assist.
“This isn’t only a Rotary challenge; it’s a nationwide effort. We’re bringing collectively people, households, firms and establishments to ship a challenge that can remodel most cancers prognosis in Rwanda,” he stated.
Muderevu stated the scanner is predicted to be put in at Kanombe Navy Hospital, with Rotary working alongside the Ministry of Well being and insurance coverage suppliers to make sure entry for all sufferers, together with weak teams via present well being financing mechanisms.
Representing the Metropolis of Kigali, spokesperson Emma Claudine stated the initiative helps the town’s efforts to advertise wholesome life, illness prevention and entry to high quality healthcare.
“Most cancers impacts households, mates, colleagues and full communities. Collectively, we are able to make a distinction by elevating consciousness, elevating funds and supporting fashionable tools to enhance early detection and more healthy lives,” she stated.
Claudine inspired residents, companies, faculties and improvement companions to take part within the stroll, saying the town hopes to draw no less than 10,000 individuals.
Charles Haba, President of the Rotary Membership of Sports activities Rwanda, stated Rotary members throughout the nation would mobilise assist for the marketing campaign.
“Our motto is ‘Service Above Self’. We look ahead to supporting this trigger and mobilising our members and their households to be a part of it,” he stated.
Most cancers consciousness advocate Rosine Bazongere, who just lately accomplished a most cancers consciousness stroll from Kigali to Nyagatare after dropping her father to the illness, urged Rwandans to assist the initiative.
“Everyone knows somebody who has been affected by most cancers, whether or not a relative, buddy or neighbour. 5 million {dollars} is lots for one particular person and even Rotarians alone, but when individuals unite, we are able to obtain it,” she stated.
Veteran journalist and most cancers survivor Edmund Kagire stated the challenge would scale back the monetary burden on households compelled to hunt specialised most cancers companies overseas.
“Generally what kills you shouldn’t be the most cancers itself, however the means to get the therapy you want. This initiative will assist many households, and we should always all assist it,” he stated.
