Former world marathon record holder, Paula Radcliffe, and her daughter, Isla Lough, were among 30 retired athletes who graced the Equator Run on Friday to raise Sh250 million in aid of the first ever African Children’s Cancer Hospital at the Eldoret’s Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).
Lough's condition left the family traumatized after doctors diagnosed her with cancer last year. Her health, however, took a positive turn thanks to enhanced healthcare services in England.
She has since embarked on a robust campaign to save lives by helping to set up a children’s cancer hospital at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.
On Friday, Lough led other 30 retired athletes in the 80km Equator Run to raise funds.
The run that stretched from Londiani to Eldoret attracted erstwhile athletes, including marathon queen Mary Keitany, former world 3,000m steeplechase record holder Moses Kiptanui, former Commonwealth Games marathon champion John Kelai, among others.
Lough said embarking on early treatment put her on course for full recovery.
“After one week when I was diagnosed with cancer, I began my treatment and I was healed. I feel so sad that in sub Saharan Africa, 90% of those diagnosed with cancer succumb to the disease, unlike in developed countries where 90% of the patients are healed,” she said.
Radcliffe said that immediately her daughter made her aware of her condition, they made an effort to get her on therapy.
“When my daughter revealed her condition to me, I was hit very hard and we started the healing process and the results were good. Through that, we are giving the same chance to the children. We considered it the best way to overcome cancer in the country,” said Radcliffe.
Shoe4Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Toby Tanser said there was a great and urgent need to hold the event more often.
“Equator means the centre and we wanted to involve all athletes to run and bring the family together. Running is a unifying factor in Kenya and we need to do this regularly,” said Tanser.
MTRH CEO Wilson Aruasa said they hoped to increase the bed capacity at the health facility with funds raised at the event .
“We currently have 150 beds but hope to increase the number to 1,500. We shall also be providing good health services to more people,” said Aruasa.
