A guy is hugging a tree for eighty hours straight because cancer policy sucks. James Irungu, a thirty-year-old from Murang'a, started this wild endurance stunt to force a national discussion on Kenya's cancer crisis. He began clinging to a tree in the town center and plans to keep at it for over three days, hoping to push the government into declaring cancer a national disaster.
Irungu blasted the lack of local treatment, noting that most patients have to seek expensive care in countries like India, a trip that bankrupts families. He watched relatives die from the disease and criticized the official response as totally inadequate. His main demand is for a public awareness campaign on the same scale as the old HIV/AIDS efforts, with widespread screening promotions.
The tree-hugging marathon is also a record attempt, aiming to beat the current benchmark of forty-eight hours. Supporters have gathered to cheer him on through the physical strain. Irungu says the entire painful spectacle will be worth it if it pushes just one person to get screened or makes leaders finally take action.
Irungu blasted the lack of local treatment, noting that most patients have to seek expensive care in countries like India, a trip that bankrupts families. He watched relatives die from the disease and criticized the official response as totally inadequate. His main demand is for a public awareness campaign on the same scale as the old HIV/AIDS efforts, with widespread screening promotions.
The tree-hugging marathon is also a record attempt, aiming to beat the current benchmark of forty-eight hours. Supporters have gathered to cheer him on through the physical strain. Irungu says the entire painful spectacle will be worth it if it pushes just one person to get screened or makes leaders finally take action.
