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INTERNATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER DAY (ICCD) 2015 CELEBRATION IN
CAMEROON BAPTIST CONVENTION (CBC) HOSPITALS.
ICCD 2015 in the CBC hospitals was marked by widespread awareness and fundraising activities in all
three hospitals. Sensitization was done notably in the hospitals, churches, communities, and the
media. Fundraising took the form of free will donations, sales of WCC T-shirts, and a fundraising
concert in offered in Kumbo by Cameroonian star musician and childhood cancer advocate, Richard
Kings. A very significant highlight of ICCD 2015 celebration in the CBC hospitals was the introduction
of the Gold ribbon, which hitherto was completely unknown in the country.
CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY
The churches were identified as a favourable medium through which to get the attention of, and reach
out to many, with education on early warning signs and availability of care. In Kumbo, four churches
were visited including the Kumbo Catholic Cathedral on Sunday January 25, Kumbo Baptist Church on
Sunday February 1, Tobin Presbyterian Church on Sunday February 8, and Baptist Church Bamkikai on
Sunday February 15. The activities at the churches included sensitization talks during announcement
time, and a stand outside the church after service for distribution of leaflets and brochures, questions
and answers, and pinning of Gold ribbons. A similar scenario was obtained in Mbingo, as the child
cancer care team stormed three churches in Mbingo, Babanki, and Bamenda, with PowerPoint
presentations, leaflets, testimonies of patients, parents and survivors, and gold ribbons. More church
visits are planned for the month of March by the Mbingo Hospital team.
Dr. Kifem, Glenn, Dr. Ndum, Dr. Ndzelen, Sephen (L-R)
(BBH) at Kumbo Cathedral
Ps. Ngongtum Chronicles(C) shares testimony of his
son’s(R) survival with Mbingo Hospital staff
Dr. Kouya lectures on early warning signs in
Mbingo Baptist Church
Sensitization stand outside Tobin Baptist Church, Kumbo
At the level of the community, awareness creation took the form of personal discussions, distribution
of leaflets, and explanation of the gold ribbon’s significance. This was done by staff of all three
hospitals, as well as parents in their various villages. The National Youth day march past grounds were
used as a chance to reach out to students, teachers, and young professionals in various domains.
Glenn Mbah and Dr. Yem(L-R) distributing warning signs leaflets at Youthday celebration ground.
HOSPITAL PREMISES
At the level of the hospitals, a mass inclusion strategy was used whereby the entire hospital staff were
educated to master the warning signs and significance of the Gold ribbon, and in turn disseminate this
knowledge to others in the various towns. In MBH, two PowerPoint presentations were done in the
hospital chapel by Dr. Kouya, N.P Nana, and Sr. Kimbi Comfort, this was supplemented by several
testimonies from patients, parents, and survivors. One of such presentations were done in BBH, and
two in BHM led by Dr. Mbanga Evans, and Sr. Nfor Patience. Posters of warning signs were also posted
all over the various hospitals, and warning signs leaflets and gold ribbons were distributed to all staff
members.
Sr. Philipa lectures on availability of childhood cancer
care in Mbingo Baptist Hospital Chapel.
Mbingo Staff pinned with Gold ribbon
Cross section of Mbingo Hospital ICCD 2015 Champions
Hospitalized patients and carers at BBH feasted at a movie night on February 11, with popcorn and
juice. They also benefitted a visit from a small family charity called ‘Just a Smile’, thanks to the
invitation of Sr. Kenchi Hope of BBH Maternity. They all received gifts of soap and towels from this
family group.
Movie night in BBH Childhood Cancer Ward
MEDIA
This was another medium which did not go unexploited in the endeavour for mass awareness creation.
On Monday February 2, Dr. Kouya and Glenn were speakers at a 30min. program dubbed ‘Health
Watch’ on the Northwest regional station of Cameroon’s National radio. Monday February 9 was the
turn of Dr Kifem to play guest at a 30min Health program ‘Let’s talk Health’ on Bui F.m, hosted by
Glenn. These radio sluts were used to thoroughly explain the early presentations of various childhood
cancer, and the holistic nature of care provided at the Baptist hospitals.
The social media was not left out. Members of staff joined the rest of the world with the hashtag
#actnowforkidswithcancer, on tweeter as well as on Facebook. Pictures of ICCD activities received
several likes and supportive comments on Facebook pages of staff and sympathizers. Messages were
posted on group pages and blogs, receiving a widespread audience at home and from the diaspora,
generating moral and financial support.
FUNDRAISING CONCERT BY RICHARD KINGS – KUMBO, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12
Thursday February 12 marked the apex of ICCD 2015 celebration in the CBC Hospitals. Delegations
from all three hospitals, comprising of staff members, parents and survivors converged in Banso for a
good will concert offered by Cameroon’s music icon Richard Kings, who doubles as Childhood cancer
advocate. The concert was chaired by the Divisional Officer for Kumbo Subdivision.
This concert, according to music icon Richard Kings, was to mark the beginning of an unending
commitment to childhood cancer advocacy by all present. This was ascertained by the Divisional
Officer for Kumbo, as well as Pastor Bambo Denis, representing the CBC Director of Health services.
Dr. Wandji Rene, Director of the Integrated Day Care centre of Catholic General Hospital, followed suit
in his closing remarks, in which he stressed on ‘Early detection… making the difference’ as the take
home message and promised to use the insight from the evening to spark up childhood cancer
awareness education amongst staff of the catholic hospital.
Music Star and Childhood Cancer, Richard Kings does special hit with kids, for kids.
This musical concert was carefully punctuated with two PowerPoint presentations: the first
presentation was from Dr. Kouya explaining the significance of ICCD and the gold ribbon. She also
explained the early signs of childhood cancers, the benefits of early diagnosis, and the overall
treatment success rates. She iterated courage of patients, survivors, and parents as the main reason
why we are celebrating and naming them the ‘ICCD Heroes.’ The second presentation was from Mr
Kangong Joce, BBH administrator who exposed the facilities available to the patients at our treatment
centres, the needs of patients and their families and highlighted how donations of any kind and
magnitude could contribute to improve care.
Parents and survivors were celebrated as the heroes of the day, this was during a special slot on the
program in which pastor Ngongtum Chronicle, president of NWCCPOC led the introduction of
survivors and parents present at the occasion. One of the survivors, a 19 year old lady presented her
husband, and testified how since her survival from Burkitt Lymphoma 8 years ago, she had grown to
have her own family with a 2 year old girl, and an eight month old pregnancy.
L-R, Sr. Philippa(first), Sr. Patience(third), Dr. Kouya(fifth), and Sr. Comfort(ninth), pose with
survivors at event.
The program staff were also congratulated and encouraged to continue the hard work by Dr Bari
Ngong, Chief Medical Officer for BBH, who specially recognized all doctors and nurses involved in
childhood cancer care in all the CBC health services.
The music Icon and childhood cancer advocate entertained the guest all evening with a collection of
his hit songs, and a special songs composed for Children. He also led the crowd to donations as he
made the first cash donation and pledge to seek support for our program from his partners abroad.
Financial donations were made by the audience, as well as several pledges of material and cash
donations.
The entire ICCD week was coloured by WCC T-shirts carrying the slogans ‘No Child Should Suffer’ on
the front, and ‘Cancer in Children can be Treated’ on the back. ICCD 2015 celebrations saw the full
dedication of childhood cancer program staff as well as other staff of all three hospitals, and the
special commitment of hospital leaders. ICCD 2015 has gone past, but awareness creation and support
for patients, families and survivors go on…