CANCaRe Africa

Congratulations to Trijn Israels and the team for International Society of Paediatric Oncology - SIOP - Global Health Network - Award Session Winner at the SIOP Congress. CANCaRe Africa’s Zero Abandonment from Start to Finish is really helping reduce treatment abandonment for children with cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, this isn't just an academic exercise. A huge thank for the great work being done by other teams and individuals in the Global Health Network. #SIOPCongress2024

📌COST EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY SUPPORT CASH INCENTIVES TO SUSTAINABLY PREVENT TREATMENT ABANDONMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Dr. Trijn Israels from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi presented a summary of two significant topics at the International Society of Paediatric Oncology - SIOP Annual Congress in Hawaii, focusing on the critical issue of treatment abandonment in pediatric cancer in Africa. With over 20 years of experience as a pediatric oncologist in Blantyre, Malawi, Dr. Israels emphasized the importance of family support cash incentives as a cost-effective strategy to help reduce treatment abandonment. Her insights highlighted the lessons learned from ongoing efforts and the future perspectives for enhancing cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa. #PediatricOncology #CancerCare #SIOP2024 #OncologyResearch #ChildhoodCancer #OncoDaily #Oncology #Cancer #Health #Medicine

Voice of the families Post#19 Patricia and her father. Please meet Patricia Akoragye, a 3-year-old girl from Rukungiri district, which is located about 114 km from Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Western Uganda. Patricia presented with a one-month history of abdominal swelling and was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour, a cancer of the kidney. After one month of chemotherapy, she underwent successful surgery to remove the diseased kidney. She then continued her post-operative chemotherapy, which she is still receiving now. They live 2 hours away from the hospital. Patricia is the last born of two children. Her sibling is will and in school. Patricia stays with her father who is a farmer. Patricia was enrolled in CANCaRe Africa’s “Zero Abandonment from Start to Finish” cash transfer programme, which supports families of children diagnosed with cancer with out-of-pockets costs through their treatment. The family has been able to bring her in time for treatment appointments. Appropriate consent given. International Society of Paediatric Oncology - SIOP Foundation S Childhood Cancer International World Child Cancer Isabelle Villadary Barnabas Atwiine Mushabe Branchard OncoDaily Paediatric Oncology International Network for Training & Education (POINTE)

Great job Foundation S ! Many thanks for the contributions to enhancing childhood cancer care.

Looking forward to learn and share knowledge. #ChildhoodCancer

Voice of the families Post #18: Nasriya and her mother.   Please meet Nasriya Yazed and her mother Mebruka A/Mecha. Nasriya is three years old. They live in Beshasha, about 60 km away from Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). Nasriya was diagnosed with blood cancer, leukaemia. They are primarily farmers, mainly producing coffee and have been struggling with the out-of-pocket costs associated with treatment. Nasriya is the third child among her siblings. Her mother was also concerned about her other children, leaving them at home while staying with Nasriya in the hospital. Mrs. Mebruka mentions that it would have been impossible to stay in Jimma to continue Nasriya’s treatment without the support provided by a local philanthropic NGO that offers accommodation and other support during treatment. This illustrates the importance of family support during children’s` journey across the cancer treatment . We wish Nasiriya and her family all the best during this difficult journey. International Society of Paediatric Oncology - SIOP Foundation S World Child Cancer Childhood Cancer International OncoDaily Young SIOP Isabelle Villadary Esubalew Mezgebu Diriba Fufa

Zero Abandonment – Together we are stronger Post #5: Hedley Lewis   Please meet Hedley Lewis, the CEO of CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa and Chair of Childhood Cancer International (CCI) Africa. He delivers an important and powerful message emphasizing the need for unity and collaboration in childhood cancer care and treatment. Join Hedley, let us all continue to collaborate for enhanced care and treatment for children with cancer – Families First! Trijn Israels Hedley Lewis CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA Childhood Cancer International World Child Cancer SIOP Africa Foundation S Isabelle Villadary OncoDaily João de Bragança Sidney Chahonyo Alejandra Mendez Daniel Mckenzie

Great opportunity!

Local Evidence Campaign Post #16: Lessons learned and shared thoughts on the way forward in sub-Saharan Africa   This year we have started sharing with you the joint effort of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, data managers and other team members who are all generating evidence to improve childhood cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa. We know what we have: an unacceptable difference in childhood cancer survival between high and low income countries. We know what we need: collaborative research that allows us to better understand the context, the resources, the success or the failure of our interventions. We invite you to read this recent publication which discusses some of these aspects:” Local evidence in sub-Saharan Africa; the CANCaRe Africa experience - Lessons learned and shared thoughts about the way forward”.   https://lnkd.in/dJbWyAYY   #LocalEvidenceCampaign #CANCaReAfrica #KuHES    Trijn Israels Cecilia Mdoka Diriba Fufa George Chagaluka Nickhill Bhakta Brenda Mallon Elizabeth molyneux Lillian Sung Yamikani Chimalizeni Barnabas Atwiine Kathy Pritchard-Jones GFAOP Groupe Franco Africain d'Oncologie Pédiatrique SIOP Africa Young SIOP Childhood Cancer International OncoDaily Foundation S Isabelle Villadary Neil Ranasinghe

Voice of the families Post #17: Gashanew and his father   Allow us to introduce Gashanew and his father, Abebe Ayele. They are from the Fogera district, situated in the South Gondar Zone of the Amhara regional state in Ethiopia. Gashanew lives there with his parents and four siblings. Gashanew was diagnosed with blood cancer, leukaemia. He has been treated with chemotherapy at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UoGCSH) in Gondar, Ethiopia. The journey to UoGCSH takes about four hours for Gashanew and his family. Despite being farmers with supplementary income, Gashanew’s family initially felt hopeless due to a prevalent community rumour that cancer is incurable.   Additionally, their financial constraints posed a challenge in continuing the treatment of their child. However, after receiving psychological counselling from the treating team and a psychologist affiliated with the local parent and childhood support group association, Tesfa Addis Parents Childhood Cancer Organization (TAPCCO), along with a cash transfer through CANCaRe Africa’s  Zero Abandonment from Start to Finish project, they decided to continue Gashanew’s treatment. The family expresses satisfaction with the services and financial support they receive. Fortunately, Gashanew’s prognosis is positive. International Society of Paediatric Oncology - SIOP Childhood Cancer International Foundation S OncoDaily Isabelle Villadary Mulugeta Yimer Mulugeta Wassie Feven Birhane Tesfa Addis Parents Childhood Cancer Organization (TAPCCO)