Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society

Mathiwos Wondu -YeEthiopia Cancer Society

Introduction

Mathiwos Wondu -YeEthiopia Cancer Society (MWECS) was established by the first General Assembly meeting of the founding members of the Society held on April 17, 2004 (Miazia 9th 1996E.C) and now it is more than four years old.
Our Society is non-governmental and non-profit making organization that is dedicated to the national control of cancer and aspires to support all cancer patients in Ethiopia. There were 15 members when the Society was formed and today the number of members has increased to 300.The number of members has to increase even further in order to fight cancer in Ethiopia in a very meaningful way.
Because of the weak economy and limited financial capability, the Ethiopian government has not given proper attention to diseases like Cancer. The Black Lion Hospital, the only cancer treating hospital in Ethiopia, has been trying to give treatment to some of cancer patients but it has no sufficient number of specialists, support staff, equipment, and medicines to fulfill its objectives.
Cancer is the general name for over 100 medical conditions characterized by uncontrolled cell division and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue (invasion) or by migration of cells to distant sites (metastasis). This unregulated growth is caused by a series of acquired or inherited mutations to DNA within cells, damaging genetic formation that defines the cell functions and removing normal control of cell division.
All living things are made up of cells. Cells are microscopic packages of living material and we have billions of them. They come in many different types: liver cells, brain cells, blood cells and so on. In the normal adult, cells only grow and divide slowly and under very tight control to make sure that the number of cells in each tissue stays the same. Cancer begins when one cells changes and starts growing and dividing rapidly and out of control. This one cells divides to give two cells, then four, eight and so on until they form growing mass of cancer cells - called a tumor.

According to UICC (www.uicc.org) each year, almost 7 million people die from cancer and close to 11 million new cases are diagnosed. In today's world, everyone will be touched by cancer - as a patient, a family member or a friend. In 2020, if current trends continue, more than 10 million people will die of cancer and the number of new cases will increase to 16 million per year. If these rising global trends are to be reversed, then present knowledge must be put into effect on a wider scale.

Cancer kills one in eight or 12% of those who die worldwide and claims twice as many lives as AIDS. Often it is regarded as a disease of the developed world, but with improved living standards and longer life expectancy, cancer incidence in developing countries is on the rise. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in developed countries, and epidemiological evidence shows that the trend in developing countries is in the same direction. By 2020, three out of every five or 70 % new cancer cases will occur in the developing world.

Despite unreserved efforts made by medical researchers throughout the century, there have only been two vaccines successfully produced for cancer prevention. A vaccine that protects against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), responsible for 35% of liver cancers worldwide, has been available since 1982, although a national Hepatitis B Immunization program is not in place in many developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. More recently, a vaccine have been developed to prevent against the most common types of human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. However, population-wide vaccination programs may be cost-prohibitive, at least in the near term.

The three leading killer cancers are lung cancer, stomach cancer and liver cancer. Lung cancer kills about 900,000 men and 330,000 women each year. Most of the victims of lung cancer are from the third world countries. Lung cancer is the most common cancer world wide; accounting for 1.2 million new case annually followed by breast cancer just over 1 million cases each year. Despite continuous efforts made by medical researchers a cure has not been produced for cancer. However healthier life styles and public health actions by all concerned bodies can prevent as many as one third of cancers worldwide. It is also possible to improve the survival rates of people with cancer.

Cancer is known in Ethiopia as a deadly disease without cure. Because of this, cancer patients and their families are forced to believe that they are doomed and have no future at all. In Ethiopian cancer is one of the major causes of death. Like most Sub-Saharan countries cervix, breast, neck and head cancer are the most prevalent types. In developing countries more than 200,000 women die of cervix cancer each year. Due to absence of early detection and insufficient therapy Ethiopia shares substantial number of this figure. Cancer treatment is given only in the Black lion Hospital.
Ethiopia being one of the least developed countries in the world; it has also a poor rated health services provision. Even relative to other low income countries, coverage of basic health services and infrastructure is extremely low. Insufficient availability of essential drugs, inadequate health facilitates and equipments and lack of trained medical personal are major problems of the country. These long standing health problems further aggravate the death and suffering of cancer patients in Ethiopia.

A. Operation Report

1. New Year Party

As usual we celebrated the New Year and Christmas Millennium party on January 7, 2008(Tahsas 28, 2000), at the Black Lion Hospital, Pediatric Ward with more than 100 pediatric patients and their families.

o Bambis Supermarket gave us chocolates, candies and biscuits.
o Mr. Abinet Gebre Meskel and Sheraton Addis presented not less then 15 packages of chocolate cookies and assortment of pastries.

The party took place between 10:00AM and 02:00 PM and included moving speeches by the officials of the Society and representatives of different organizations and the patients’ families highlighting on the importance of the occasion and reflecting concern on the absence of proper medicines and support structure for patients that remain under treatment. Finally, 100 patients' families were given Birr 50 each from the Society’s partner Hospice Ethiopia Mahber account to show the sympathy and concern the Society has for the pediatric patients.

2. International Cancer Day

Around 700 million children - almost half of the world's children - breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, particularly at home. On 4 February 2008, World Cancer Day was directed a simple message to parents: "Second-hand smoke is a health hazard for you and your family. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Give your child a smoke-free childhood."
Key objectives
1. Raise public awareness through a global media campaign launched by UICC on World Cancer Day 2008 as well as local media coverage together with member organizations adapted for local relevance
2. Engage member organizations to catalyze changes in smoking behavior in the environment of children within their communities. Develop adaptable online toolkits and Assist UICC members, cancer organizations and health institutes around the world to develop local information, media and advocacy campaigns, and annual surveys
3. Generate a global movement to increase awareness of the hazards of smoking around children and mobilize individual citizens, schools, communities and coalitions of voluntary associations around local initiatives to catalyze smoke-free environments for children (home, car, day care, schools, and grandparents)
4. Increase the motivation to quit, pointing to resources on the campaign website.
5. Develop an internationally recognized "No-smoking environment for children" symbol.
6. Subject to funding, initiate sustainable educational pilot projects in 10-20 low- and middle-income countries.
7. Engage support for the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (A/FCTC/COP/2/7), and in particular, with respect to Article 8 (Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke).
Key outcomes
1. A global movement in support of no-smoking environments for children.
2. Coverage in global and local media on and around World Cancer Day.
3. Activities with members in all continents and a track in the Global Cancer Control Community.
4. Adapted messages, awareness building and educational campaigns for local communities around the world and tool kit on website, links to cessation sites in all continents.
5. An internationally recognized "No-smoking environment for children" symbol launched on World No Tobacco Day (May 2008).
6. As of 2008, pilot projects in 10-20 low- and middle-income countries (the precise number of countries will be subject to available funds).
7. Survey questionnaire in as many countries as possible to assess changes in attitudes towards smoking in the environment of children as a result of the campaign.
In February 4, 2008, for the first time the International Cancer Day was celebrated here in Ethiopia. As part of the international cancer campaign the society prepared posters and few brochures endorsing the UICC campaign statement, I love my smoke free childhood. These materials were then distributed for about 27 schools and NGOs.Together with the Ministry of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; we gave press release endorsing the UICC campaign statement. Based on the press release the national dailies the Amharic daily Addis Zemen and the English, the Ethiopia Herald presented summarized story on the day and cancer. Thanks to the assistance we got from the UICC we managed to advertise the camping statement and additional message on cancer on the Addis Neger, Inter-sport, the Reporter, Mesenazeria newspapers. The Ethiopian Television and several local radio stations reported the day and its campaign statement.
As the campaign being the first of its kind here in Ethiopia and lasts for four years, we strongly believe that this is only the beginning of the beginning, provided we get financial and professional support from organizations like UICC, we will do our level best to organize better and more organized campaign, the overall objective of which will be to enhance the awareness of the Society of cancer and its treatment possibilities, believed to be  very effective in reducing the overall cancer burden.

3. Project proposal for KLM, Royal Dutch Airline

During the reporting period a project proposal focusing on providing Palliative Care for cancer patients in the Black Lion Hospital was prepared. KLM-the Royal Dutch Airline was expected to provide the funding for the project. After the project was prepared frequent meetings were held with the promotion and fund raising committee and the project’s final manual draft was developed. The project has been presented for appraisal and further discussions should be made to secure the grant.

4. Fund raising Bazaar at the German Church

Our Society actively took part in a Bazaar that was held at the German Speakers Evangelical Church on May 11, 2008.The program was intended to raise money to buy medicines for the Pediatric ward of the Black Lion Hospital. Due to all round involvement and participation of the Fund Raising and Promotion Committee and their families, the program achieved its set objectives and it was found out to be very successful. This is the first promising experience, which should make us proud and happy.

On behalf of the fund raising committee and our Society, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our respective members, families and friends for their contribution to the bazaar, without whose support this result would not have been achieved. Above all our thanks should go to the German Speakers Church for allowing us to participate in the bazaar and keep the proceeds from the sale of food and drinks, for our society. It should be noted that members of the congregation have contributed food [especially cake] for sale at the bazaar. Our special thanks should go to Mrs. Seble Degneh, for all round support and advice.

Moreover, we would like to thank and congratulate the following organizations who have given us their services and products free of charge for sale at the bazaar.
 
• Shi Solomon Super Market - 100 pieces of spiced hamburgers.
• Dashen Brewery - 2 barrels of Royal Dashen Beer.
• Highland Spring water - 120 bottles of water.
• The Chops Restaurant - grilling of the burger free of charge.
• The German speaking Evangelical Church [Pastor Martin Gossens and Frau Sabrine    Gossens].
• W/O Seble Degneh.

Total revenue from the Bazaar   =   Birr 8667.00
Total expense                                =    ”      907 .00
     Net Income                                    =   “     7760 .00
 
5.Donation of Medicines to the Black Lion Hospital

As per our plan and with the consultation with Dr.Khald Asrat Head of the Pediatric Ward Cancer Unit of the Black Lion Hospital, we purchased and donated four kinds of cancer medicines from local market with total cost of Birr7758.00 (only 2 Birr remaining), which include vincristin (30 pack) Adramycin (20 pack) Methrotriscate (30 pack) and Ceftadizine ((30 pack).

Our Society also donated 1500 tablets of Tamoxifen, secured from member of our Society, worth of about 13,500 Birr, to be used for needy patients at the Radiotherapy Center, of the Black Lion Hospital.

Thanks to our partner N.T.E (Eth) S.C Birr 45,000 grant it was possible to resolve partially acute shortage of medicines of the Pediatric Ward at least for a while. All in all we managed to donate more than Birr 70,000 worth medicines to the Black Lion Hospital. Although compared to the actual requirement what we managed to provide is just small, but it is a way forward. We strongly believe that although we can’t change every cancer related problem here in Ethiopia in foreseeable future, but still we can change something today. This, we believe show the sympathy and concern the Society has for the cancer pediatric patients.

6. Signing of grant agreement with the International Union against Cancer, UICC

A project proposal was submitted to the UICC in December, 2007. The Grant was rewarded as per our project proposal submitted to the Cancer Capacity Building Fund on 16 may 2008. The project title is Anti-Tobacco Campaign and the total value of the grant promised is 17,936USD. The society has signed the agreement with UICC and we have already received 80% of the project budget.

7. Referral of Child Cancer Patient to Italy

After long and arduous attempt we have succeeded in sending one 9 year old leukemia (blood cancer) patient to Rome, Italy for better treatment. The Associazione KIM onlus of Rome, Italy played a very prominent role in creating the necessary condition so that the kid could secure more than Euro 100,000(more than Birr 1,000,000) worth of treatment free of charge. The kid has been under treatment here at the Black Lion Hospital for the last seven years. The kid after less than three months of treatment lost the battle and died while he was under treatment and his body was flown to Addis Ababa for burial.

8. Ethiopia New Year & Eid Al-Fater Party to the Kids

Cancer patients and their families face many challenges that may leave them feeling overwhelmed, afraid and lonely.  It is difficult to cope with these challenges or to talk even to the supportive family members and friends.  Often support groups like ours can help people affected by cancer to feel less desolate and this can improve their ability to deal with the uncertainties and challenges that cancer brings.  In fact, attention to the emotional burden of cancer is sometimes part of a patient's treatment plan.
Due to the various reasons we mentioned earlier, there are no sufficient specialists, support staff, equipment and essential treatment options etc here in Ethiopia. We have a very big gap of information concerning cancer and its treatment options.  We have been trying to fill this gap and furnish essential information including addresses of prospective cancer centers and hospitals overseas that might help cancer patients and their families
As per our Society’s action plan we celebrated the New Year and Eid-Al-fater party on September 11 and 29, 2008 (Meskerem 1&19, 2001) respectively at the Black Lion Hospital, Pediatric Ward with more than 80 pediatric patients and their families
In addition to party our Society gave Birr 100 to each cancer patient under treatment at the hospital. The party took place between 10:00AM and 02:00 PM and included moving speeches by the officials of the Society and representatives of the patients’ families highlighting on the importance of the occasion and reflecting concern on the absence of proper medicines and support structure for patients that remain under treatment

9. Fifth General Assembly Meeting

As per the action plan, the Fifth General Assembly Meeting of Mathiwos Wondu-YeEthiopia Cancer Society was held on October 11, 2008, at GTZ, German House conference center here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting reviewed and approved the Society’s operational and financial reports of 1999 (2006-2007) budget year and July 8, 2007 – December 31, 2007) six months period.

10. Breast Cancer Month

“Protect the present and save the future” program in support of breast cancer awareness month was held  on October 26, 2008 at Meskel Square, here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Thousands of people took part including H.E, Dr.Tedros Adhanom Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E Ambassador Mohamud Dirir Minister of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Fatoumata Naf Traore Country Representative of WHO, representatives of  ILO and different organizations, members  and friends of our Society took part and actively participated in the program. Briefing on cancer in general and breast cancer in particular was given by Dr.Bogale Solomon, the only Senior Oncologist here in Ethiopia and inspiring speeches, experience sharing and testimonies by cancer victims and their children were the main components of the program.
According to World Cancer Report, over two-third of cancers worldwide are due to known risk factors and potentially avoidable. These modifiable risk factors include infectious agents, tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.  Therefore, there is clear scientific evidence that public health actions that promote healthy lifestyles could prevent a large proportion of cancer cases and deaths.  However, most people remain unaware of how they can reduce their risk of developing cancer and very little has been done to change this by public health agencies in most developing countries, including Ethiopia.
Our Society was holding a walk for the second, time to this end the society has contacted various organizations to support the initiative, and also to encourage staff members, family and friends to join the    program. The program was part of the action plan of the Society for 2008 budget year and was managed by the Promotion and Fund Raising Committee of our Society; Chaired by Dr.Yetenayet Abebe and including M/s Cecilia Omole, M/s Yenenesh Belayneh and M/s Salome Dagnachew as  members. The committee members assisted by the General Manager and members of the Society gave their utmost attention from planning the program for some two months and in executing the program as per schedule. Wide advertisement of the program on more than seven very popular local newspapers and programs  presented by local radio stations associated with the program , interviews given  by Mr.Wondu Bekele,General Manager of our Society  to local newspapers and  radio stations and particularly video interview to Walta Information Center which was  presented on their web site for some time coupled with committee members gallant  dedication and commitment in taking care of every detailed activities contributed in transforming the event  to one of the most inspirational and educational event of its kind.
This wonderful event, whose overall objective was to enhance the awareness of the Society of cancer in general and breast cancer in particular, is believed to have met its aim since it was also widely covered by the official news media of the country. Preparation is underway to develop documentary film to be presented on Ethiopian Television and others. We would like to extend our profound thanks and deep appreciation to all for making the program a reality and success. Cancer is not a battle that one can fight and win in isolation. We look forward to the professional, moral and material support of willing individuals and organizations like yours in order to make a difference!

11. Launching Program of Anti-Tobacco Campaign

The long-awaited launching program of the Anti-Tobacco Campaign was held on December 19, 2008 at the GTZ, German House conference center Kazanchis area here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Guest of Honor was Mr.Tsegaye Bedane, representative of Ministry of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Members, friends of our Society and representatives of school administrators, teachers, students and families from ten selected schools from Addis Ababa actively participated in the launching program.
The Anti-Tobacco Campaign is a joint project supported by the Geneva, Switzerland based International Union Against Cancer (www.uicc.org) and being undertaken in 10 selected schools in Addis Ababa and would last for about one year.
The Anti-Tobacco Campaign is going on in ten schools here in Addis Ababa. Manual and guideline on how to conduct the campaign and brochure on Tobacco and Cancer developed and distributed to all concerned schools after proper training and briefing was given. The anticipated campaign program is implemented through various clubs of which anti drug clubs are active ones. Efforts are made to strengthen the already existing ones and new ones are being formed with the collaboration of schools administration and willing students.  Taking in to account the conducive atmosphere in addition to the anti-tobacco campaign additional messages on cancer awareness and prevention especially on how to follow healthy life style being transmitted.

Lessons Learnt

­ An innovative approach needs to be designed and exercised to reach our targets and objectives. The approach should employ several awareness creation forums and joint team efforts of the all stakeholders.  It is recommended and appreciated if collaborated team works and efforts among stakeholders is practiced. To this effect, Matiwos Wondu- Ye Ethiopia Cancer Society and other partners have made their utmost effort to collaborate in designing joint activities.  As a result the society is able to benefit a high success in reaching some of its objectives

The benefit of such activities is reaching large number of beneficiaries in a short time, and should be supported by addressing some of limitations and challenges addressed below. 

Program Challenges

Not all of the planned objectives were met during the reporting period.  The challenges in meeting these objectives are seen from different perspectives by the society staff. 

1) In order to reach as many beneficiaries as possible more and more funds should be secured. Short of funding is the main challenge the society is facing.

2) Shortage of human and material resources is also a challenge.

­ There is a need from some organizations that seek more frequent and closer supervision and follow-up. This may be lacking due to human resource limitations.
      
Recommendations

In order to address the above issues, the following suggestions are put forward.

­ Additional resources required for these tasks should be available.  That will allow for closer follow up and appropriate corrective measures of activities.
­ Provide closer supervision and follow up to every partner  currently involved in our program
­ More projects need to be designed and funds must be secured to insure the implementation of planned activities. The society needs to work more on donor diversification.
As usual our Society’s head office is still situated in the residence of Mathiwos Wondu’s family. We have reached the stage we are desperately looking modest office of our own. The Anti-Tobacco campaign being going on and other activities underway make the office problem even more serious and urgent one. According to the understanding we reached with UICC they will closely follow our activities specially the other major activities. In order to resolve our existing office related problem we are requesting the consent of our society’s Board of Directors to finance the cost of the office rent, office equipments and recruitment of some permanent employees. 

B.MATHIWOS WONDU-YeETHIOPIA CANCER SOCIETY
                              STATEMENT OF CASH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
 FOR THE PERIOD FROM January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008