The 9th Annual Brain Surgery Run is therefore more than a race; it is a national lifeline. Every step taken and every shilling raised on October 18th will directly dismantle the financial barriers that stand between a child and a future, transforming a diagnosis of despair into a story of survival.
MBALE, Uganda – CURE Children’s Hospital are more than a place of healing; they are a launchpad for hope. On September 12, 2025, the hospital launched its 9th Annual Brain Surgery Run, setting an ambitious target to raise Shs 1 billion to sponsor life-changing surgeries for 135 vulnerable children battling severe neurological conditions.
The event, which has blossomed from a fundraiser into a powerful national movement, unites corporate sponsors, local champions, and hundreds of community members around a single, compelling cause: to "Run to Save a Life." This year's run, scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, addresses a critical healthcare emergency affecting Uganda's youngest and most vulnerable.
At the launch, Tim Erickson, Executive Director of CURE Children’s Hospital, framed the facility’s mission in stark terms, calling it an “Oasis of Healing for some of the world's most vulnerable children.”
His words underscore a devastating reality. The hospital is a beacon of hope for all of Africa, performing the highest volume of pediatric brain surgeries in the world. Last year alone, its surgeons conducted 2,166 life-saving procedures—a testament to both the staggering need and the hospital's dedicated response.
“This place is truly an Oasis of Healing,” Erickson stated. “And our 9th Annual CURE Brain Surgery Run is also very special. The cause is so compelling. You are literally running to help us save more lives.
The run directly supports children suffering from hydrocephalus and spina bifida—complex neurological conditions prevalent in vulnerable families and often shrouded in stigma and misinformation.
Hydrocephalus, often called "water on the brain," is a dangerous accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid that puts immense, destructive pressure on the brain. Without surgery, a child's head can swell painfully, leading to brain damage, severe disability, and death.
Spina Bifida is a birth defect where the spine and spinal cord do not form properly. It can cause paralysis, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and life-threatening infections.
The financial barrier to treatment is immense. Mr. Erickson revealed the sobering cost of a single procedure: approximately Shs 10 million. For families struggling with poverty, this sum is an impossible fortune, often forcing them to watch their children suffer without recourse.
The human cost of these conditions was given a face and a voice through Namarome Mary, a mother whose story is a powerful testament to CURE's mission. After a scan at a private hospital revealed her unborn child had a severe condition, she was presented with a devastating ultimatum.
"They gave me an option to abort my kid," Mary recounted, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "They said my kid was not normal."
Lost and desperate, she found her way to CURE Hospital. There, instead of a directive to terminate, she was given something she had lost: hope.
"The doctors gave me hope that my kid would be treated after birth," she said. Empowered by this support, she decided to give birth. Today, her child has received the life-saving surgery needed, free of charge, thanks to the generosity of donors.
With the conviction of lived experience, she made a heartfelt appeal: "I call upon mothers and parents not to hide or abort such kids, but to come to CURE Hospital." She also extended her gratitude to the donors whose contributions make this miracle of healing possible. "I thank whoever donates money so that our children are treated free of charge."
Mr. Erickson concluded by emphasizing that CURE Hospital’s mission transcends medical intervention. In a region where children with disabilities are often hidden away, the hospital offers not just surgery, but restoration of dignity.
"CURE hospital is not just a hospital," he said. "It's a place where you can find God and feel loved, just as Jesus loved mankind."
