When you think of EcoQuest Vacations, you likely picture the mist rising off the canopy of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, or the breathtaking moment of locking eyes with a silverback mountain Gorilla Tours. Tourism to us has always been about exploration. But on Sunday, May 17th, 2026, EcoQuest team laced up sneakers for a completely different kind of journey one measured not in miles of forest trail but in steps of hope, community transformation, and collective healing.
Representing EcoQuest, I (Chantal) joined thousands of passionate Ugandans at the Uganda Cancer Institute for the 4th Edition of the Annual Childhood Cancer Colour Run organized by the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation (UCCF).
Running under this year’s poignant theme, “Behind Every Step, A Child’s Story,” our mission was clear: to turn our footsteps into funding for a life saving children’s accommodation hostel in Kampala.
The Reality Behind the Run: Closing the Gap in Pediatric Care
Every year, hundreds of children across East Africa are diagnosed with cancer. While medical advancements at the Uganda Cancer Institute offer real paths to recovery, an invisible enemy often stands in the way: accommodation and transport costs. Families traveling from rural deep country parts of Uganda to Kampala for prolonged chemotherapy cycles frequently face a devastating choice. Without a safe affordable place to stay or the means to commute daily, many are forced to abandon treatment entirely.
According to the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation, providing a free dedicated hostel for young patients and their caretakers is one of the single most effective ways to reduce treatment abandonment and give these brave children a fighting chance.
A Synergy of Purpose: Chantal, Joan and the Countdown to Race Day
For EcoQuest Vacations, the road to the Uganda Cancer Institute didn’t start on May 17th. The momentum had been building for over a month driven by a powerful bond of friendship and shared social purpose. Starting back on April 10th, my friend Joan, the visionary founder of Women’s Hub https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-mugaba/, became the official heartbeat for our race countdown. With relentless energy, daily reminders and infectious enthusiasm, Joan kept the momentum alive ensuring we were focused, primed and ready to make a difference. When Sunday morning arrived, the energy at the starting line was electric. Splashes of vibrant color filled the air each hue representing a story of resilience, a survivor’s victory or a memory honored. Sharing that experience together as women passionate about driving social change made every kilometer worth it.
A Generous Partnership: Shoutout to Simplifi Networkshttps://www.simplifinetworks.com/
We are grateful to Ken Stober, the CEO of Simplifi Networks https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-stober-bb21ab/. Ken generously stepped up to sponsor our running kits powering my presence on the track alongside Joan’s. While Ken himself couldn’t join us across the finish line on Sunday due to a long planned Gorilla trekking expedition to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (an adventure the EcoQuest team had the pleasure of organizing), his spirit and support were right there with us in every kilometer covered. It was a beautiful intersection of what we do best: connecting passionate global travelers to Uganda’s pristine wilderness while partnering with forward thinking corporate leaders to lift up local communities.
EcoQuest Vacations: Tourism as a Force for Transformation
At EcoQuest Vacations, community engagement isn’t a corporate footnote; it is woven directly into our DNA. We firmly believe that sustainable tourism must look inward, enriching and supporting the health and infrastructure of the communities that host the world’s travelers. Our participation in the 2026 Childhood Cancer Colour Run underscores our long term commitment to grass roots transformation. Whether we are practicing eco sensitive conservation on a savannah safari or running through clouds of colored powder to build a medical hostel, we are dedicated to leaving a positive permanent footprint in Uganda.
Thank you to the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation for organizing a spectacular life giving event, to Ken Stober for the vital kit sponsorship and to Joan for being an incredible partner in advocacy. Behind every step we took this weekend, there is a child’s story and together we are helping write a chapter filled with hope, healing and survival. Contact
