The rising cases of cancer in Kenya are a source of concern specifically because of the angst and uncertainty that comes with the treatment and management of different types of the disease.
Cancer cases are rising globally. The pressure exerted on populations and health systems is immense. At a very local level, often, families are left to deal with rising hospital bills when one of their own gets ill.
In Kenya, cancer is the 3rd leading cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases.
Most people grapple with questions around where they can get support should they need it. The Kenya Cancer Network has an extensive network of organisations dealing with different types of cancer and has compiled information as detailed below.
Contact: Dorothy Nyong’o, Director, Head of PR/Advocacy, P.O. Box 1114-00621, Village Market, Nairobi, info@africacancerfoundation.org, africf@gmail.com, 0725 337607; 020 8022711; 0788 263358, Facebook: Africa Cancer Foundation, Twitter: @africf.
Provides awareness programs, screening and educational materials about all cancers. Provides cancer fact sheets and treatment information. Regions of Kenya served: Nationwide.
Cancer Awareness Centre of Kenya
Contact: Boniface Mbuki, Director, 11480-00400 Nairobi, info@cackenya.org, bmbuki@gmail.com, 0719 227 960, 0700 299 380. Facebook: Cancer Awareness Centre of Kenya. Twitter: cackenya
Provides awareness programs, screening and education about all cancers. Publishes bulletins, newsletters and flyers. Regions of Kenya served: Nationwide.
Provides childhood cancer patient-care support through events, psycho-social support, and training workshops for primary health-care workers. Regions of Kenya served: Nationwide.
Early Cancer Care and Detection Centre
Contact: Maureen Momanyi, Founder, maureenmomanyi84@gmail.com, +254 (0) 721 683 470. Provides support to cancer patients in Nairobi, Kisii and Kisumu, including psycho-social support and education about cancer.
Eddah’s Hope Cancer Foundation
Contact: Issaji Moussah, Founder, Board Chairman, 12891 -00100 GPO Nairobi, info@eddahs-hope.org, +254 704 448000; +254 732 440000; 020 800 0056, Facebook: Eddah’s Hope Cancer Foundation, Twitter: @eddahs_hope.
Provides awareness programs, screening and education about all cancers, targeting youth education (age 15-40). Regions of Kenya served: Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru.
Contact: Philip Odiyo, Patient Support Manager, P.O BOX 39173, info@farajacancersupport.org, 0721 872 909, Facebook: Faraja Cancer Support, Twitter: @FarajaTrust.
Provides complementary therapies, support groups and education on all cancers for cancer patients. Regions of Kenya served: Nairobi.
Contact: Lucy Mwangi, Executive Secretary, P.O. BOX 2621 – 00202 NAIROBI, info@henzokenya.or.ke, 0738 893 420, Facebook: henzokenya, Twitter: henzokenya.
Provides support to patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia and gastrointestinal stoma tumour cancers (CML & GIST). Regions of Kenya served: Nationwide.
Hope and Courage International
Contact: William Wanjohi, Secretary General, Box 61393-00200 Nairobi, info@hopeandcourageint.org, +254 714 897 228, Facebook: HopeCourageInternational.
Provides support and education for cancer patients and cancer survivors and their families. Regions of Kenya served: Kerugoya, Nairobi, Nyeri.
Contact: Elizabeth Ragui, Managing Trustee, P.O. BOX 55075, 00200, NAIROBI, eliz_rag@yahoo.co.uk, 0722 707 628.
Provides awareness programs, screening and education about breast, cervical and prostate cancers. Provides literature on cancer treatment and survivorship in Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Dholuo, Kikamba, Luhya. Regions of Kenya served: Nationwide.
Contact: Wanja Mwangi, Project Coordinator, 19984 – 00202 KNH, Nairobi, info@hope4cancerkids.org, 0722 663 592.
Provides support to childhood cancer patients and their families. Regions of Kenya served: Eldoret, Kisii, Machakos, Muranga, Nairobi, Nyeri, Webuye.
Contact: Ms. Ann Korir, Chair, 293 KNH NAIROBI, info@kenyacancer.org, Facebook: Kenya Cancer Association, Twitter: Kenya Cancer.
Provides awareness programs, screening, advocacy and education about all cancers. Provides cancer information brochures. Regions of Kenya served: Nationwide.
Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association
Contact: Dr. Zipporah Ali, Executive Director, P.O Box 20854, 00202, zippy@kehpca.org, +254 733 498 060, +254 722 584 234, Facebook: kehpca, zippyali, Twitter: kehpca, zippyali.
Promotes increased access to, training in, and awareness of palliative care for all Kenyans. Publishes newsletters and brochures. Regions of Kenya served: Nationwide.
Contact: Carole Njagi, Founder/CEO, cwnjagih@gmail.com, Facebook: oasisoflifeorganization.
Partnership for the Eradication of Cancer in Africa
Contact: Rosa Ongeso, rosa.ongeso@gmail.com, 0706 512 684.
Prostate Cancer Support Association
Contact: Gacheche Waruingi, Chairman, gachechewaruingi@gmail.com.
Supports prostate cancer patients, survivors and their families. Regions of Kenya served: Nairobi.
Stoma World Kenya
Contact: Tarsem Singh Devgun, Chairman, P.O. Box 25136-00603, Tsdevgun@aol.co.uk, 0721 393 230.
Provides public awareness about colorectal cancers, and support to colorectal cancer patients, survivors and their families. Regions of Kenya served: Eldoret, Kisumu, Machakos, Nairobi, Nyeri.
Contact: Doris Mayoli, CEO/Founding Trustee, P O Box 50251-00100, Nairobi, info@twatrust.org, 0714 780 540; 0737 780 540, Facebook: Twakutukuza Trust, Twitter: @TwaTrust.
Provides support to cancer patients, survivors and their families. Provides publication about the founder’s personal battle with cancer. Regions of Kenya covered: Nationwide.
Women for Cancer Early Detection & Treatment
Contact: Benda N. Kithaka, Board Chair, P.O. Box 13263 – 00100, Nairobi – Kenya, benda@women4cancer.org, 0724 635 680, Facebook: Women4Cancer, Twitter: Women4Cancer.
Provides awareness programs, screening and education about breast cancer (plus cervical cancer in the future). Provides education and training materials. Regions of Kenya covered: Nationwide.
Youth Against Cancer Kenya (YACK)
Contact: Chief Executive Director; Mr. Atilla Merdin; Mobile: +254722566478; Email: atilla@yackenya.org; Email: info@yackenya.org; Website: www.yackenya.org; Facebook: YACK.org; Twitter: @yackkenya; Instagram: yackenya
Advocates for and create awareness about the risk of cancer (and other non-communicable diseases) to the youth through social media and events that will lead to behaviour change that directs the youth to healthier lifestyles by encouraging them to participate in outdoor activities, regular exercise, avoiding tobacco use and low alcohol consumption.
Afywatch will continue to update this information as soon as it changes.
