Cancer is a menace that is gaining strength in Nigeria and other African countries. It is a chronic illness with an increasing incidence. Today cancer has taken over the minds of the people of developing countries as a dreaded disease with its attendant financial burden and deficient resources for its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. With little or no national policy on cancer control, incidence and mortality ratios/rates are skyrocketing beyond control, hence the need for advocacy.
Advocacy / Volunteer plan
Cancer advocacy is a deliberate effort aimed at influencing and creating awareness about the cancer burden. Cancer control deserves higher priority based on prevalence, its large and increasing burden on patients, their families, and friends. As there is low or no priority, cancer advocacy is largely undeveloped. Therefore, it is imperative to raise and bring the public concerns to decision-makers while at the same time giving hope to patients and their families.
I am Dozie Akwarandu. A Civil Engineer by training and practice. I was diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer on pathological stage III (C), after some wrong prognosis.
I had a colon resection and anastomosis. Thereafter continued journey with the management of the dreaded disease. My family and friends almost gave up hope on survival; as cancer diagnosis in Nigeria is akin to a death sentence and survival rates are almost non existence. I am currently a permanent rider on the struggle bus... Multiple surgeries, Cancer, Chemotherapy. Lost count of tablets, infusion and hospital visits. My body was destroyed from all the above. They have made me so passionate too and I am thankful for the years of survivorship.
I therefore volunteer for capacity building, advocacy for management strategies after diagnosis and treatment, and support strategies to enable cancer patients and survivors like myself cope effectively and reduce the long term impact of cancer.
As a primary actor,- as a survivor, I feel the need to raise a voice to help make the difference and change needed in cancer control, and also to change the way Africans and Nigerians think about cancer.
I need this platform to also beat the stigma associated with cancer.
I am a Survivor.
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Nest Of Hope (Cancer) Advocacy and Support Community was founded out of experience and passion by a cancer survivor, as an Advocacy and Support group.
Nest Of Hope (Cancer) Advocacy and Support Community was founded out of experience and passion by a cancer survivor, as an Advocacy and Support group. The organization aims among other things to advocate for patients, raise awareness about the cancer burden, as well in directing public and private efforts and resources into cancer control.
We have chosen to be part of strategic awareness campaign towards eliminating the fear and misconceptions, to enlighten the public on cancer prevalence, control, treatment options, care and management.
We are dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by the community.
Our vision is to collaborate and work with the authorities and policy makers in order to generate a system that works for our environment in order to reduce the frequent loss of lives.
1. Tohave a mindset change about cancer
2. Toovercome fear and discouragement
3. Tobuild a support system
4. To provide measurable and acceptable strategies to help patients and non-patients to eliminate destructive stressors
5. To have a platform where patients can share their stories to encourage and inspire
6. To raise funds to assist people who cannot afford treatment
7. To collaborate with health institutions, Int'l organizations, NGOs to provide palliative care 5
8. Topromote healthy life and living
Studies have shown that choices and poor knowledge are more likely to be disruptive in the healing journey and have contributed immensely to high mortality.
However, The goal of the project is to enable the risk people, cancer patients and survivors to improve their healing process.
Also to help understand what cancer really is and how to manage the process of healing.
