End skin cancer for people with albinism in Uganda

Thanks to your generous support we have provided four skin clinics from January to March 2022 in the eastern Ugandan districts of Budaka, Bugweri, Butaleja and Kibuuku. During these clinics, just under 100 children and adults with albinism received thorough skin checks from our dermatologist Dr. Ngobi. Many people with moderate skin damage received cryotherapy to remove pre-cancerous lesions. Every person attending received three months’ supply of high sun protection factor sunscreen, a tube of lip protector and a wide-brimmed hat. These hats provide excellent protection for the face, ears and neck and also give much-needed shade for people’s eyes which are highly vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays. With your support we were also able to purchase a further 400 wide-brimmed hats for distribution at our clinics.

As mentioned in our previous report, when people with albinism attending our clinics have extensive skin cancer which cannot be treated with cryotherapy or minor surgical procedures, we do our best to provide the operations and follow-up treatment needed. Thanks to you we have been able to provide skin cancer surgery for two single mothers this quarter – Annette, a widow with six children, and Rose, a young woman with three children. Not only has this surgery saved these women’s lives, but it has also protected their nine children from a sad, uncertain future without them. We will ensure that Annette and Rose continue to receive high quality sunscreen and skin checks so that they remain cancer free.

While the incidence and severity of skin cancer among people with albinism is steadily reducing through our regular provision of sun protective resources, unfortunately further attendees with life-threatening cancer were identified during these clinics, including Gabriel, a 32-year old father of two.

We hope these reports are offering a glimpse into how your support is transforming the lives and prospects of people with albinism and their families in eastern Uganda. If you would like to donate to this work further, please note that from 2pm BST on 20^th July 2022, GlobalGiving’s Bonus Day will offer matching funds of between 30-50% for donations of $100 USD (about £82) and upwards. Together we can end skin cancer among people with albinism in Uganda.