Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: Oman Cancer Association will host its 13th walkathon in support of cancer patients on November 1, it has been announced.
An annual event which is held to increase awareness among the Omani public about cancer, last year’s walkathon registered over 7,000 participants, and that number is expected to rise this year.
**media[522724]**
Although there is no online registration, the OCA has setup registration kiosks at some seven locations around Muscat, including local malls, where educational information about cancer will be available. Also, by spending a small fee of only OMR3.5 for a T-shirt or OMR1.5 for a cap, registrants can help save lives.
Zamzam Al Busaidi, an organiser from OCA, said that all money raised at the walkathon will go to Dar Al Hanan, which is a home for children who are being treated for cancer. “The point is to raise awareness and understanding of what cancer actually is,” Al Busaidy said. “We are donating and raising funds for Dar Al Hanan and for mammographies. The money is not going into the pockets of OCA.”
Dar Al Hanan is an outreach programme that serves the needs of children with cancer and their families, and are residing outside of Muscat. The centre first opened in 2011 and always has 12 families under their care. They offer three meals a day and a shuttle service to and from the hospital.
“When people hear about cancer, they believe it’s undefeatable. In my opinion, it’s just a turn in life. I believe that there is a cure, and they can overcome it. Nothing is impossible in life,” she added.
The walkathon will start at 4pm in Qurum Park.
Art auction
Meanwhile, some 80 art pieces are to be auctioned this Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in an effort to prevent cancer. The auction will be the Oman Cancer Association’s first Art Nouveau of its kind.
Thomas Allen, a former intern and current volunteer at OCA, said that 25 per cent of the auction price will go back to the artist and the remainder will benefit the Mobile Mammogram Unit (MMU).
“These proceeds go directly to the MMU. As of right now, we only have one van, but we have screened around 15,000 women from all over Oman in that van.” Allen said.
It costs some OMR 75,000 a year to operate the MMU van, according to officials. The auction is scheduled for the 26th of October from 7pm to 10pm at the Grand Hyatt.
