Little Hands Beating Cancer: Building Resource Capacity for Cancer Control in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background and context: Uganda Child Cancer Foundation (UCCF) is a nongovernmental organization that was formed in 2006, as an in-house fundraising charity for Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). UCCF mobilizes treatment and social support for vulnerable children battling cancer and advocates for cancer control in Uganda. It is mainly managed by childhood cancer survivors/volunteers and individuals directly affected by cancer. Children Caring about Cancer (3C) program is a strategic approach through which UCCF supports children in schools to start cancer clubs which are called 3C clubs. Aim: The main aim is to create a platform through which school going children are empowered with knowledge and experiences to enable them appreciate the cancer burden and create opportunities for them to develop and implement interventions addressing the burden of cancer at their level. Strategy/Tactics: UCCF works closely with UCI in cancer control, UCI is a Uganda Ministry of Health national technical arm of government. UCCF was formed to raise awareness about cancer in the communities and public especially with the young people and also to support children with cancer, UCCF reaches high school students and teachers with cancer education and awareness through the ministry of education and school administration structures. UCCF runs a social media campaign dabbed #3ChildrenCaringAboutCancer which uses activities done by the clubs as posts targeting children, policy makers and the community. In addition, UCCF launched a national children cancer conference in 2016 as a unique platform for stakeholder engagements and for highlighting work the children are doing in cancer control. Program/Policy process: The UCCF-3C recruits and works with children in schools by establishing cancer clubs. The clubs run activities geared toward cancer awareness, patient support and community outreach/advocacy. The clubs are headed by patrons and student-led club executives. The executive is responsible for leadership and recruitment of fellow young people through a child to child process. The patrons are trained to act as mentors to the executive to support various 3C programs in school. The patrons have an interschool committee that enables them to network and plan to support the children and club needs. UCCF works with the UCI to coordinate 3C club activities, patrons, and students leaders in sustaining the clubs in schools. Outcomes: In 85 3C school clubs formed, the program has reached; 85,000 children, 3000 teachers and over 170,000 guardians. Young people have been able to contribute to cancer control in Uganda through cancer awareness, advocacy and patient support. What was learned: Children Caring about Cancer (3C) program is strategic for building resource capacity for sustainable cancer control in Uganda.