NEWS- The 8th annual CURE Brain Surgery Run 2024 , launched on Friday at CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda with a goal of raising UGX 750 million to support 100 surgeries for children born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus conditions.
Scheduled for October 19th, participants can join the run in Mbale or virtually, choosing to run either 10km or 5km, all in support of brain surgery to save lives.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Tim Erickson, Executive Director of CURE Uganda, told Bugisu intellectual forum that a large number of children with these conditions have limited access to care.
Erickson stated that CURE Children’s Hospital of Uganda (CURE Uganda), is a specialized hospital globally recognized for its neurosurgical expertise, has treated children with hydrocephalus, spina bifida, and brain tumors.
“The purpose of this run is to save lives, so we invite the entire country to purchase a kit and support this cause by thinking of the children who are suffering. Our goal is to raise UGX 750 million, with each brain surgery costing UGX 7.5 million. We aim to perform more 100 surgeries,” Erickson added.
In an interview with Bugisu intellectual, Mama Angelina Chogo Wapakhabulo, a board member and retired High Commissioner to Kenya, expressed concern over the neglect of children with medical conditions, noting that some have been left to live with domestic animals like goats, despite their conditions being treatable.
“We appeal to people of goodwill that no support is too small. We request that individuals sponsor the surgeries of these vulnerable children,” she noted.
She added that people can participate through various platforms, including purchasing a kit for only UGX 30,000 at our selling points in Kampala, Mbale Courts View Hotel, and Mbale CURE Hospital, or by joining the virtual run or the main event in Mbale on October 19, 2024.
Mr. Were Ramadan from Mbale City commended the management of CURE Uganda for successfully treating his daughter Nisha. After undergoing a successful operation, she is now healthy and performing well in school.
He explained that they discovered the condition when the girl was four months old, and they brought her to CURE for treatment. Now, she is very active, just like other children, and in the second term, Nisha ranked sixth in her Primary Two class.
Peter H. Kaujju, the Spokesperson and Head of Communications at Umeme, stated that the company contributed UGX 120 million as the largest sponsor of the run to support brain surgery for vulnerable children.
“I encourage the public to unite in support of this life-saving cause. By donating and participating in the run, you can help transform lives and make a lasting impact on the futures of over 200 children in need of brain surgeries,” he said.