NBC launches 6th Dodoma Marathon
DODOMA: THE National Bank of Commerce (NBC) has officially launched the sixth season of the highly anticipated NBC Dodoma Marathon, scheduled for July 27 in Dodoma city.
This year, the bank aims to set a new participation record, with expectations of drawing 12,000 runners-an impressive increase from last year’s 8,000 participants and positioning it as one of the largest marathons in Tanzania.
The announcement came during a lively launch event in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, where the bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr Rayson Foya, detailed the marathon’s objectives.
He added: “This year, the bank has set its sights on raising 700m/- to bolster initiatives in the fight against cervical cancer. Funds will also be directed towards expanding midwifery training to reach 200 midwives, as well as launching a new educational sponsorship program for 100 nurses specializing in autism care for children across the country.”
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The event drew attention from key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), the Benjamin Mkapa Foundation, and Amref Health Africa as organizations that stand to benefit directly from the marathon’s fundraising efforts.
Further, Mr Foya, standing in for the bank’s Managing Director, Theobald Sabi, expressed immense pride in the accomplishments achieved over the five years since the marathon’s inception.
“To date, we have raised over 1bn/-, with more than 80 per cent of these funds dedicated to fighting cervical cancer in partnership with the Ocean Road Cancer Institute,” Mr Foya announced.
“Our efforts have reached approximately 200,000 women, with over 3,000 undergoing treatments. It’s inspiring to see that 80 women have returned to their families after achieving complete recovery. Furthermore, we’ve provided funding for 100 midwives, and this year, we intend to expand this initiative to support 200 midwives,” he pointed out.
In recognition of the contributions from various stakeholders, Mr Foya extended his gratitude to main sponsors such as Sanlam Insurance and GSM Group, as well as other supporters like Vodacom Tanzania, Jubilee Allianz Insurance, Strategis Insurance, and GardaWorld.
Dr Crispin Kahesa, Director of Preventive Services at ORCI, highlighted the significant impact of marathon fundraising in the past five years. “We have successfully reached nearly 200,000 women spanning 78 districts, empowering over 250 service providers to enhance screening and patient care,” he mentioned
Equally, Dr Kahesa emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting that, annually, Tanzania identifies about 42,000 new cancer patients, of which 14,000 are women diagnosed with cervical cancer.
“Disturbingly, more than 90 per cent of these women present at the late stages of the disease, leading to poorer treatment outcomes. The marathon plays a critical role in promoting early screening and raising community awareness, especially in rural areas. We anticipate that the contributions from this year’s event will allow us to reach an additional 20,000 women.”
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Representatives from other sponsoring companies echoed his sentiments. Mr Kyenekiki Kyando from Sanlam Insurance and Ms Rukia Yazid from GSM Group voiced their unwavering commitment to the marathon’s mission, emphasizing their dedication to improving the health and lives of women and children across Tanzania.
“As the countdown to July 27 begins, the NBC Dodoma Marathon promises not only to be a test of endurance, but a beacon of hope and change in the fight against cervical cancer and maternal health in Tanzania,’’ said Mr Kyando
Registration for the NBC Dodoma Marathon is now open, inviting participants to join this impactful cause. Interested individuals can sign up through the official website, www.events.nbc.co.tz, with registration fees set at 45,000/- for individuals and 42,000/- for groups of 30 or more.
