Bending the Cost Curve of Cancer Care Awareness and Campaigns Through Volunteers

Abstract

Background and context: Nigeria has been rated the 1st nation in Africa and 5th in the world with highest cervical cancer deaths with >26 women dying daily. Breast cancer incidence is higher with 90 new cases per 100,000 women annually in some western countries, compared with 30 per 100,000 in some African countries. In contrast, breast cancer deaths are almost identical, at about 15 per 100,000, which clearly points that late diagnosis and much poorer survival in Africa. Late diagnosis of cancer is possibly encouraged due to low awareness and sporadic screenings across Nigeria. To mitigate this system-wide gap, huge resources are required from the government, corporate organizations and nonprofits engaged in cancer awareness and programs. For a nonprofit with limited resources, volunteers became the most significant resource to create the needed policy change, public awareness and fundraising for cancer patients. In 2013, Project PINK BLUE started as a personal community development service of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in Nigeria with as little as 5 volunteers whom organized the first community awareness program that mobilized 168 women in Kabusa community in Abuja. By 2018, Project PINK BLUE has 501 volunteers across Nigeria and Cameroon. With impact awareness events engaging thousands of people and raising supports for cancer patients while advocating for policy change. Aim: To share how the use volunteers has propelled the nonprofit organization to reach millions in <5 years while spending less on human resource compared with her impact. Strategy/Tactics: Project PINK BLUE designed a volunteer program that provides young people the platform to learn, network, grow and cultivate opportunities for themselves. The organization engage volunteers base on projects and activities all year round. Program/Policy process: The program's policy for volunteers is strictly on nonpayment; several young people have used the volunteer program to gain employment opportunities, meet amazing friends, achieve their dream and most importantly touch lives. Outcomes: Our statistics showed that we have 277 volunteers with Bachelors of Science, 63 with Masters degree, 20 in high school, 14 with higher national diploma, 13 with OND and 114 others. 40% of the volunteers have basic knowledge of cancer, 45.7% intermediate and 14.3% advanced knowledge. 87% of the volunteers responded to be available for cancer awareness activities, 10.9% were undecided and <2% responded no. What was learned: Qualitative responses showed that the volunteers needed to be more engaged in series of cancer activities.