By Charles Muya | Programme Officer
CREATION OF AWARENESS ON CANCER AT ALL LEVELS IN KENYA – GG4551
PROJECT UPDATE REPORT- Q4
INTRODUCTION:
The Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO) is the National umbrella body of over 35 registered cancer civil society organizations, spread throughout the country, active in various aspects of cancer control in Kenya and committed to a united response to cancer control.
KENCO has been part of the GlobalGiving community since March 2020 through our project entitled ‘Creating cancer awareness at various levels in Kenya.’ The project’s aim is to raise the levels of awareness on cancer and its management among health workers, patients, caregivers and the general public. The project will ensure that cancer education materials are consistently provided to patients and caregivers in cancer centres across the country by oncology health workers trained to effectively communicate with cancer patients. The project aims to train 60 health workers, print and distribute over 100 cancer counselling flipcharts to the health workers, print and distribute over 15,000 cancer and caregiver booklets and print and distribute over 50,000 cancer IECs for the general public.
To date, KENCO has managed to raise over $15,000 (including bonuses) out of a target of $ 25,000.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
During the reporting period, KENCO has managed to achieve the following:
Printing and distribution of Cancer Education Booklets for Patients and Caregivers
With the funds raised from GlobalGiving since late 2020, KENCO managed to print 4,000 cancer education booklets for patients and caregivers in April 2021. With further support from the American Cancer Society and in response to the pressing need for the information booklets for those newly diagnosed with cancer, KENCO managed to print additional booklets and distribute a total of 7,658 to 23 partner health facilities during the reporting period. The health facilities will then distribute these booklets to newly diagnosed cancer patients or their caregivers. We believe that by empowering newly diagnosed cancer patients with information on cancer, we relieve a bit of their anxiety, promote better management of the disease and thereby promoting healing and enhancing the quality of life of these patients.
Creation of awareness on cancer among the health workers and general public
KENCO, with support from other partners has continuously been raising public awareness on cancer through social and mass media platforms and through virtual/physical gatherings as follows:
National Cancer Survivors’ Day
National Cancer Survivors’ Day is an annual event commemorated all-over the world, on the first Sunday of June as a CELEBRATION for those who have survived cancer, an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed with cancer, a gathering of SUPPORT for families affected by cancer, and an OUTREACH to the community. KENCO took this opportunity to create awareness on cancer during the cancer survivors’ day as follows:
Health Workers and Public Webinars
During the reporting period and with support from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, 2 health workers and 2 general public webinars were held. The sole aim of the webinars was to sensitize the health workers on prostate cancer and the general public on cancer in general and on prostate cancer. Over 1800 health workers and 100 members of the general public were reached with information on cancer through the webinars.
Prostate Cancer Social Media Campaign
In may and June 2021, KENCO undertook a social media campaign on prostate cancer where various messages were on prostate cancer were shared on social media reaching over 1000 people with the information.
FUTURE PLANS
Distribution of Materials
KENCO will continue monitoring supplies of cancer booklets in partner facilities and will be on standby to distribute more booklets to those facilities that need them.
Creation of awareness on cancer through various media outlets – KENCO will continue to create awareness on cancer among the general public through the various platforms.
CONCLUSION:
Improving cancer awareness among health workers, cancer patients and their caregivers gives hope to cancer patients and inspires them to positively accept their diagnosis and adhere to treatment regimens leading to better health outcomes and survivorship. Creating cancer awareness among the general public promotes cancer prevention and routine screening which will ensure early detection and assure better treatment outcomes. This will ultimately reduce the cancer burden in the country.We are grateful to all our donors who have continued to open their wallets and donate for us despite the economic uncertainties and difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that we shall continue to raise more funds in the GlobalGiving platform to enable us achieve the objectives of our project. We thank all our donors for being part our success so far and we believe that together we shall achieve our goal.
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