An Apple a Day, Helps Keep Cancer Away!

Abstract

Amount raised: N$19,948,000/U$1,672,509 Background and context: The Cancer Association of Namibia presented the project “An apple a day can keep cancer away” to one of the local commercial banks close to 2 decades ago. The concept of “Eat Healthy. Live Healthy. Prevent Cancer” became a massive hit and in subsequent years the “Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project” has become a flagship fundraiser for the association. For 1 month of the year (usually June or July - winter in Namibia) we convert all Bank Windhoek branches nationwide into “apple stores” with bank employees, CAN volunteers and school learners marketing and selling apples to raise funds for CAN, raise awareness on cancer and support screening interventions to promote earlier detection to save lives. Aim: Create awareness and educate on cancer, support the Cancer Association of Namibia financially to fund the National Cancer Outreach Program and the 2 interim homes operated by the association. Strategy/Tactics: National endeavor - for 1 month a year, the entire commercial bank is “converted” into apple stores, selling apples! Program process: An executive planning committee between Bank Windhoek as facilitator and the Cancer Association of Namibia plan and coordinates the annual event, sourcing one million red apples (the bank´s official color) from the Western Cape apple farms. Numerous project partners support the program from transport, cold storage, package and delivery, to media and sales partners. An “Apple Roadshow” kicks off the marketing and PR of the annual event, and then for one month a year the bank staff, CAN volunteers and especially high school learners (as part of the school challenge) promote bulk orders, while loose apple sales are conducted in bank branches country-wide. Costs and returns: All project partners offer their “time” and “manpower” as a donation in support of CAN through their CSI portfolio. Apples are sourced at a bulk reduced rate (± N$2, 50 each) and resold to the public at a N$5 donation per apple. What was learned: Logistics and supply chain management is a profession that must be highly respected! But, education, awareness and community collaboration makes one of the strongest support chains imaginable. Communicating “why” are we doing this, then taking the funds and “showing” what we the money goes (through the medical outreaches and sustaining the interim homes) speak to the heart of the nation. Transparency, accountability and inclusive community interaction is key when it comes to community driven fundraising.