1. History

The late Dr AB May, founded the Cancer Association in 1968 and reported to the National Cancer Association of South Africa. In 1978 the Association became independent from South Africa and changed its name to the Cancer Association of Namibia. Since then all funds raised and collected remains in Namibia (then South West Africa).

2. Mission

The Cancer Association of Namibia, in cooperation with the community, fights cancer and its consequences country wide to the benefit of all Namibians by supporting research; health education and information; care and support services.

3. Aims and Objectives

It is the distinct aim of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) to educate the general public regarding the prevention and dangers of cancer, to render welfare to all cancer sufferers according to established criteria.

Education and supplying information is an ongoing process.  By way of our annual program and on invitation, we educate different sectors of the community, i.e. schools, farm communities, religious denominations, women organizations, corporate exhibitions and fundraisers.

The Namibian Media (electronic and written) is highly supportive of us and continuously give extensive coverage of our activities.

Talks on National radio and television are regularly given with the emphasis on the impact of lifestyle on health. Talks are given in different language on different radio stations educating communities in their own language.

Publications on all aspects of the 11 different cancers are distributed at every possible opportunity with the main focus on prevention and early detection.  Some are available in two languages.

Welfare – at the core of serving the cancer patients of Namibia stands firmly our care and supportive services, not only to patients, but also to their families.  The Association also provides, free of charge, equipment  in the form of hospital beds, commodes, wheelchairs, oxygen, morphine pumps and more.

Items such as colostomy bags/urostomy products, prosthesis, nappies and nutritional supplementary products ( Ensure, Life Gain, E-Pap) are sold at cost price to cancer patients,

The Association, strictly following the criteria set by the Board of Trustees, financially assists patients without a medical aid as well as those with no/or low income.

Research is costly.  The Association yearly sets funds aside so that we can support research.  In 2003 CAN presented the first ever Namibian Cancer Register to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.  This Register will be updated as an ongoing project, and results published every 3-4 years. The second Cancer Register was published in 2009.

4. Governing Body

CAN is governed by an Executive Council, elected from the broad public at an Annual General Meeting every second year. It comprises of a patron (Ms Hildegard List), a President, a Vice-President, Honorary Treasurer and 5 additional members. Ms Reinette Koegelenberg, the Chief Executive Officer, oversees the functioning of all 26 sub-committees (all volunteers) throughout Namibia. Grant Thornton Neuhaus presents annual financial statements.

5. Staff Complement

The Head Office (90 John Meinert Street, Windhoek West, telephone 061-237740) has secured the professional services of the Chief Executive Officer, Assistant to the CEO, Secretary, a Registered nurse and an Accountant. They are responsible for managing all the aspects of the day-to-day operations.

A matron and two domestic workers take care of managing the interim home, House Acacia (94 John Meinert Street, Windhoek West).

Hundreds of volunteers across the country assist CAN in executing its enormous task.

6. Achievements

CAN is proud of its many achievements which include the purchasing of several properties to maximize its service to the people of Namibia; Reach-for-Recovery Group supporting women who suffered mastectomies (1978); presenting the first mammogram machine to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (1991); the opening of House Acacia after extensive renovations to the original building (1986); supplying the Children’s Ward at the State Hospital with a television/VCR and a fully automatic washing machine to make the lives of the children and the staff more bearable; and the publication of a Cancer Register.(2002)

The above are all measurable in terms of capital layout. The moral support and physical assistance the staff has given to thousands of cancer patients over the years cannot be measured. Taking into account that approximately 2000 new cancer patients are diagnosed annually, one shudders under the tremendous task of the Association.

7. Support Groups

Reach-for Recovery –is a breast cancer support group consisting of volunteers, all of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer and survived.  We support cancer patients and their families irrespective of culture, religion or race.  Our mission is to diligently strive to reduce the mortality rate and combat the social stigma associated with cancer.

CHICA Namibia (Children with Cancer in Namibia) – We foster increased public awareness and bring knowledge of emotional and financial support to enhance quality of life of patients and their families. We render financial support when required according to established criteria.