Projects
Apple Project
‘Eat Healthy. Live Healthy. Prevent Cancer”
The main objective of part of this project is to reach all Namibian learners with the message that prevention is better than cure by following a healthy lifestyle in order to reduce the risk of developing cancer. Bank Windhoek, together with the Cancer Association of Namibia, would like to take this message even further by fostering in all Namibians a sense of responsibility towards their own health.
With a N$ 3.00 donation, learners will receive an apple and a bookmark containing important information and tips on how to live healthy and prevent cancer.
Bank Windhoek became the main sponsor of this project in 2001 and to date has raised more than N$3 million for the Cancer Association of Namibia. During 2007 & 2008,
400 000 apples were sold respectively, enabling the Bank to raise a total of N$ 700 000 in aid of the Cancer Association during each year. Namibians bought apples to the value of one million N$.
To encourage schools to participate in the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project, Bank Windhoek will award a total of N$ 25 500 to the winning schools. The top three schools that purchase the most apples in the pre-primary, primary and secondary categories will each receive prize money. To give even the smallest school a chance of winning, the ratio between the number of apples purchased and the number of pupils will be calculated.
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is the high point each year of International Union Against Cancer World Cancer Campaign, which aims to put cancer on the global agenda and to scale up awareness of the fight against cancer, which in many counties still takes a back seat to other public health priorities.
World Cancer Day allows the opportunity to raise public awareness through the media on a national level.
Namibians please pay attention to this very important message.
- We must accept we have to make the necessary lifestyle changes, which are in our control.
- Know the early warning signs of cancer
- Go for screening tests
- Fear, ignorance and complacency lessen survival rates.
The 2009/2010 topic communicated internationally by the UICC and the Cancer Association of Namibia for the prevention of cancer is to encourage an energy balanced lifestyle, based on a healthy diet and physical activity with emphasis on ” I love my healthy active childhood” thus once again concentrating on the health of children.
Dietary factors, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity are estimated to account for approximately 30% of cancers in western countries, making diet and physical activity second only to tobacco as a preventable form of cancer. This proportion is thought to be about 20% in developing countries and is projected to grow
” Energy balance” is defined as a balance between energy intake, in the form of food and drink, and energy output, in the form of physical activity. An imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure lead to weight gain or loss.
Risk Factors
- Being overweight can lead to cancer later in life.
- Regular exercise
- Stop smoking - prevent 1000’s of new cancer cases yearly
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily
To reduce the burden of cancer early detection is imperative - know the warning signs of cancer.
- A lump or thickening in the breast or elsewhere.
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Change in normal bowel or bladder habits
- Hoarseness or cough
- Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
- Change in a wart or a mole
- Sudden loss of weight
Why do we delay to go to a doctor?
- Fear
- Ignorance
- Complacency
We urge you to take control of factors that can possibly prevent cancer.
Cancer Association of Namibia, Cancer prayer Service
The Cancer Association of Namibia, in collaboration with most organizations working in the field of cancer observes World Cancer Day on 04 February each year.
Cancer is a public health problem worldwide. It affects all people: young and old, rich and poor, men women and children. By the same token cancer is potentially the most preventable and curable of all major life-threatening diseases. World Cancer Day wishes to sensitize the population at large with regard to this illness.
World Cancer Day should also be used as an opportunity to pay tribute to people and their families who have beaten cancer, as well as those lost to the disease. Their bravery and dignity should serve as an inspiration to us all.
We humbly request all religious denominations to dedicate the first or second Sunday in February to the above cause;
- Pay tribute to patients
- Remind your congregation about the importance of prevention and early detection of cancer,
Wish Upon a Star
“Wish upon a star” project (since 2007). The Cancer Association of Namibia strives to raise awareness amongst children, from a very early age, about the different causes of cancer, how to recognize early symptoms of cancer and how to live a lifestyle that will prevent cancer.
CAN enforce the principals of a healthy lifestyle by touching on three important aspects that directly involves the lives of children: health, sun damage and exercise, live in a smoke free environment by means of a school roster planner and posters.
Further emphasis will be placed on above at schools throughout the next three years to inform children of the four different principals of avoiding cancer. The abovementioned school planner will be used for that purpose.
CAN will send the information material to all schools for the next three years and with this project aim to increase and maintain awareness of cancer amongst our children. This material will also be used during visits to schools and Cancer Association of Namibia functions and awareness campaigns.
The sponsor can use this material at any wellness campaign.
World Childhood Cancer Day
The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) will for the 4th consecutive year put emphasis on the importance of the quality of life of children.
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The previous 4 years emphasis was put on:
- 2006 My Child Matters
- 2007 Today’s Children, tomorrow’s World
- 2008 Give children and young people a smoke free
environment-
I love my smoke free childhood
- 2009 Encourage and energy-balanced lifestyle, based on
healthy diet and physical activity
“I love my healthy childhood”
- 2010 The campaign message globally consists of four key precepts:
v Provide a smoke free environment for children (”no smoking in homes”)
v Encourage an energy-balanced lifestyle (regular physical activity and low-fat diet, avoid obesity)
v Learn the facts about vaccinations (HBV & HPV)
v Teach your children to be sun-smart
With the rationale “overweight or obesity can lead to cancer later in life we want to encourage kids to balance food and drink choices and highlight the importance of physical activity”.
The Cancer Association of Namibia calls on families, parents, health professionals, educators and policy makers to promote health and prevent cancer.
We promote:
1. Live an energy balanced life:
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising dramatically among adults and children around the world. According t the World Health Organization one out of every ten school-age children is overweight.
Dietary factors, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity are estimated to account for approximately 30% of cancers in western countries, making diet and physical activity second only to tobacco as a preventable form of cancer. This proportion is thought to be about 20% in developing countries and is projected to grow.
“Energy balance” is defined as a balance between energy intake, in the form of food and drink, and energy output, in the form of physical activity. An imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure lead to weight gain or loss.
2. “Second -hand smoke is a health hazard for you and your family. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Give your chills a smoke-free childhood “Stop smoking: Smoke kills”
3. Our message is:
a) I love my smoke free childhood
b) I love being sunsmart
c) I love being healthy
d) I love being active
Shave/Spray- A- Thon
Shave or spray your hair and support the fight against cancer and show you care. We host a shave/spray-a -thon day due to public demand. The public becomes more and more aware of cancer. They want to get involve to assist our Namibian cancer sufferers. One of our biggest problems is the financial impact on the cancer sufferers and that the Cancer Association does not receive any money from the Namibian Government to assist cancer patients nor the Cancer Association.
Health & nutrition Month
Raise awareness
Oesophagus Cancer Month
Raise awareness
Lung Cancer Month
Raise awareness
1000km Cycling for Christ
The Cycling for Christ group was established in May 2002 to encourage aspiring young sporting individuals to reach their potential and to promote the sport of cycling. The Cycling for Christ group is a member of the Namibian Cycling Federation and has strived in the past to be involved in various charitable fundraising projects.
2010 Marks the 6th consecutive year for this courageous event: The sixth year that CFC Cycle a 1000km for Cancer in Namibia.
World No Tobacco Day
Raise awareness.
Men’s Health Awareness: Prostate & Testicular Cancers
Raise awareness.
Sanlam Golf
Raise funds.
Colorectal Cancer Month
Raise awareness.
Cancer Prevention Week
Raise awareness.
CHICA Golf Day
CHICA Namibia is a support group for children with cancer and it falls under the umbrella of the Cancer Association of Namibia. This organization, which is not government funded, consists of volunteers, some of whom are parents of children suffering from cancer. Our aim is to provide direct practical help to children with cancer, from diagnosis onwards, recognizing the inevitable disruption to family life when a child faces vigorous and often lengthy treatments for cancer.
Funds raised will be applied to directly benefit the children and their families. This will take the form of financial assistance with accommodation and traveling cast if the family and patient needs to travel away from home in order to receive the necessary treatment and we would also like to assist those families who do not have the benefits of a Medical Aid.
Our organization would like to focus the attention of our community on children with cancer in Namibia and create an awareness of the necessary steps that can be taken in living a healthy lifestyle, as well as making the public aware of the warning signs of cancer since early detection is the key to saving a life.
Women’s Health Awareness Campaign: Cervical Cancer
Raise awareness
Pink Cup Cake Day
Raise awareness about cervical cancer, papsmear tests and its importance by selling pink cup cakes and distributing prevention leaflets.
FNB Bandana Day
Wear a bandana and show you care. The Cancer Association of Namibia raises funds in support of all cancer
Sufferers in Namibia.
Medi-Clinic Fun Run
Medi-Clinic hosts a fun walk/run to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer.
Pink Day
This day allow all Namibians, male and female, young and old to demonstrate their support of breast cancer prevention. We invite all Namibians to wear pink t-shirts and to make a donation to the Cancer Association of Namibia.
Hats, Roses & Champagne Brunch
Hats, Roses & Champagne Brunch will be hosted by the Cancer Association of Namibia for the sixth year ( 2010) to celebrate October- International Breast Cancer Month. The Cancer Association invites women and companies to attend this breakfast where the Cancer Association of Namibia raise awareness about breast and cervical cancer and raise funds for the breast cancer prevention efforts.
Christmas Memories Concert
Christmas concert by the College of the Arts to raise funds for cancer.
Sunsmart Awareness Month
Skin cancer awareness.
Movember Campaign
A combination of the words ” Moustache and November”
It is an annual month- long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November. At the start of Movember guys register with a clean-shaven face. The Movember participants, known as Mo Bros, have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo, raising money along the way to benefit men’s health - especially prostate cancer.
Sunsmart Awareness
November/December/January/ February