Vijayawada: Hundreds run for creating awareness on cancer

Vijayawada: With a theme 'Freedom from cancer', Grace Cancer Foundation (GCF) organised Grace Cancer Run in the city on Sunday.

Additional Director General of Police Ravishankar flagged off the fourth edition of the world's largest cancer awareness initiative and Guinness World Record holding 'Grace Cancer Run-2021' jointly organised by GCF and AP Police, at AR Grounds.

AP police and Mahila Rakshaks took part in the run.

Additional DGP of APSP Battalions Dr Shankha Brata Bagchi and City Commissioner of Police B Srinivasulu, Director of state GCF Joshua Daniel also attended the run.

The theme 'Freedom from Cancer' was inspired by the 75 years of India's Independence celebrations, 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.'

Speaking on the occasion, Ravishankar said "it's wonderful to see so many enthusiasts early in the morning participating in a run of this scale taking place after pandemic brought such runs to a standstill."

Joshua Daniel said that the Grace Cancer Foundation, working towards providing succour to cancer patients, has initiated Grace Cancer Run to raise public awareness against cancer, its prevention and early detection, with the motto that no patients should be deprived of treatment for lack of financial support.

The funds mobilised from the run will be utilised to provide cancer screening across rural India and care for needy patients diagnosed with cancer, besides conducting virtual cancer awareness programme and spreading knowledge across the globe, he said.

On this occasion, a Mega Cancer Screening Camp was conducted by the staff with the help of mobile cancer screening bus of Grace Cancer Foundation. Dr Chinnababu Sunkavalli also spoke.

The Run was conducted in three different categories of, 5K, 10K and 21.1K (Half Marathon). Each participant was provided with an 'e-bib' (a personalized, printable picture). The winners were given exciting prizes of Rs 10,000 for 1st Prize; Rs 6,000 for 2nd Prize and Rs 3,000 for 3rd Prize respectively.