The Yen Run cancer awareness and screening programme conducted by Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology and NSS with the support of TATA Trusts covered three common cancers - oral, breast, and cervical.
A team of doctors and experts from the Yenepoya Institute worked under the banner of World Cancer Day and Women's Wellness Awareness Month from 1st February to 15th March 2023. The university in association with the NSS and the state government has taken the initiative to educate over 30,000 NSS volunteers and programme officers at the Karnataka state level.
19 different programmes were held for close to 4,400 participants from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. People from tribal communities also benefited from the awareness campaign. Around 4,5000 tribals underwent NCD screening in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kodagu districts. 80 Pap smears, 25 Mammograms, and 100 oral examinations were done at the women's wellness mobile health unit, said Vice Chancellor M Vijaya Kumar at YENRUN 2023.
At Yen Run 2023, registrar Dr. Gangadhar Somayaji welcomed and introduced guests of honour and brand ambassadors to the gathering. On April 30th, NSS officer Prathap Lingaiah from the department of youth empowerment and Sports Government of Karnataka, ACP Geetha Kulkarni, and actor Arjun Kapikad flagged off Yen Run 2023 from Fiza by Nexus Mall in Mangalore. The 3k and 5k runs were to highlight the theme "early detection is the only key to reducing the disease burden".
ACP Geetha Kulkarni said we should have courage in everything that we do in life. She also appealed to the gathering to follow traffic rules to safeguard our lives.
Prathap Lingaiah stated that all over Karnataka, the rate of cancer is high and the disease needs to get more attention by creating awareness of early signs and symptoms. He also said the NSS Team of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) has created awareness for 30000 NSS volunteers and programme officers. Now they are working on the ongoing project of NCD Screening for the Tribal population in five districts. The team has identified the people who are suffering from cancer and is treating it free of cost at Yenepoya Institute of Oncology, Deralakatte. He added that the initiative will surely motivate other organisations in the state to work for a good cause.
Actor Arjun Kapikad, international athlete Shreema Priyadarshini, child artiste Arush, dancer Shwetha Arehole, state NSS officer Mr. Prathap Lingaiah, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) Vice Chancellor Dr. M Vijayakumar, registrar Dr. Gangadhara Somayaji, women's wellness awareness program convenor Surumi Farhaad, secretary Islamic Academy of Education Dr. Akhter Husain, HOD Department of Surgical Oncology Dr. Jalaluddin Akbar, organising secretary Dr. Ashwini Shetty, Dr. Anupama Rao, convener Dr. Imran Pasha, Pavithra Shetty, Dr. Boney Paul, Media & Publicity committee in-charge Asif, and constituent college NSS programme officers joined ACP Geetha Kulkarni to flag off Yen Run 2023.
Dr. Asha Jyothi Rai (Chairperson of Aasare Charitable Trust), Rajashekar A (project coordinator district Integrated Tribal Development Plan), Chanchala Tejomaya (President Dakshina Kannada Mahila Mandalagala Okkuta), Mohammed Haneef (President Hidaya Foundation), Dr. Priyadarshini Rai (Winner of Mrs. World supermodel), Yen Run brand ambassadors Shreema Priyadarshini, Arush, and Shwetha Arehole, and cancer warriors shared the stage.
Chancellor of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) Dr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi presided over the program. The event was concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ashwini S Shetty Organising Secretary. The Yen Run 2023 for cancer awareness was sponsored by MERI’L, Zydus Healthcare, INTAS Microlabs, Macleods Pharma, and Bank of Baroda. It was supported by Mangalore Runners Club, Fit Wood, and Fiza by Nexus Mall Mangalore.
Close to 1500 people registered & participated in Yen Run. All runners of the 3km and 5km categories received certificates and medals. Top runners from both categories received awards along with the certificate and medals. A special award was given to the youngest participant Ayansh who completed the 3km run.