Celebrating 55 years of hope
CAN turns 55
Established in 1968 by Dr Abraham Bernard May, the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) celebrates 55 years of fighting cancer this year.As part of its mission to create awareness of and educate on cancer to help prevent, earlier detect and support cancer patients, the organisation has a diverse support programme structure. Ranging from educational campaigns to screening through the National Cancer Outreach Programme, support is also extended to diagnosed patients by providing accommodation at the two interim homes of CAN – House Acacia and CHICA House for children fighting cancer.
The Patient Financial Assistance Programme aids vulnerable cancer patients financially to travel to Windhoek for treatment, and often assists with co-payments, buying out of medicine when the state pharmacies are short, or assisting with travel costs should a patient need critical medical care only available in South Africa.
“We are fortunate in Namibia that state patients have access to cancer treatment at the Dr AB May Cancer Care Centre at the Windhoek Central Hospital in addition to quality private oncology units,” CAN chief executive Rolf Hansen said at the celebratory gala event held in the capital last Friday. “Therefore our support programmes work in perfect synergy with what is medically available for Namibian cancer patients to ensure the cancer treatment journey can continue uninterrupted.”
Palliative care
As part of the 55th year of operations, CAN is in the process of establishing the first specialised palliative care unit focussed on cancer patients in the country.
According to Sr. Aina Nghitongo, Head of Medical at CAN: “Palliative care specialisation through the University of Cape Town has shown that there is a great need for palliative care in Namibia. We hope that through Palliative Care Namibia by CAN, we can address this urgency.”
The palliative care unit is expected to open its doors in June 2023.
Community lies heart the heart of CAN’s operations and as part of the 55th-anniversary celebrations, CAN also established a Community Care Centre at 98 John Meinert Street, adjacent to its House Acacia Interim Home.
The “#55 for Hope” campaign launched during the organisation’s celebratory gala evening on Friday evening, is part of the anniversary pledge to fight cancer with the Namibian community.
“We cannot see cancer in isolation from other diseases and similarly the community should understand we all have a role to play in enhancing our community,” Hansen explained.
“The ‘Triple C’ is aimed at bringing other community-focused organisations to the table that we may all share ideas, hear what the community has to say, offer an integrated health offering to our people, and help build our society.”
During the next 55 (work) days, CAN will welcome 550 Namibians to the “Triple C” to have their annual screening done for the three most prevalent cancers (breast-, cervical- and prostate cancers) for only N$55.
“We encourage the community to join this campaign. Come and visit the new centre and help us develop a place of community and safety together,” Nghitongo concluded.
For more information, the Community Care Centre (98 John Meinert Street, Windhoek West) can be contacted at 081 140 2709.