CONCEPT STATEMENT OF KENYA BREAST CANCER OUTREACH SUPPORT GROUP

 INTRODUCTION 

The Kenya Breast Cancer Outreach Support (KEBCOS) was founded in 2003, in recognition and concern of the high level of cancer patients and lack of interventions to address the existing knowledge gaps of breast cancer and other forms of cancer, among the general public and victims of family members.

It was founded by Mrs. Rose Gachuna, a fourteen year survivor in response to a woman’s need for breast cancer related information and emotional support after treatment.

KEBCOS relates to cancer victims and survivors with compassion, understanding and inspiration as we conduct public education programs across the country. To date KEBCOS is managed with contribution from members, who are cancer survivors utilizing resources from their homes, together with other volunteers.

        

       Since no resources are allocated or exist for women affected by breast cancer, KEBCOS has often focused exclusively on the post treatment experience, which requires little financial resources.

     This has made KEBCOS to take up the challenge of trying to change the situation knowing very well that it was not going to be an easy task. Despite this challenge, we were determined to face the situation head on and in May 2008 we opened up an operation at Metropolitan hospital.

      Today, in a bid to bridge this gap, KEBCOS has expanded to reach out and assist more women. It has developed initiatives that are aimed at raising awareness, encouraging early detection to promote chances of prevention hence demystifying breast cancer. Our program targets all, youth, women and men of all ages, educating them on breast cancer and demonstrating how to conduct self exams as well as post-care emotional support. KEBCOS is dedicated to assist both women and men alike, whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, recently completed treatment, or are living with advanced (metastasis) disease.

        Hence, KEBCOS is there for family members, caregivers, friends and healthcare providers to provide breast and other cancer information and support. As a result we started addressing the challenges with the limited resources that we had at our disposal.

Due to the increased number of patients and deaths due to Cancer, we have witnessed an increase in the number of post test cancer patients among others.

The availability of funds will enable us overcome a number of challenges and meet these objectives, namely;

      We can be able to scale up on care of cancer patient in terms of pain and symptom management and nutrition. This will make them lead a prolonged quality life and be able to take care of their children thus reducing the number of the orphaned children.

      We will be able to install mammography equipment within Metropolitan hospital to provide early cancer detection for the large population of Eastland residence.

      The organization will be able to provide psychosocial support and aid patient treatment program for patients who are unable to get treatment due to lack of funds.

      The organization will be able to set up a chemotherapy center within Metropolitan hospital to provide care and treatment for cancer patients residing in Eastland’s area and others.

      The organization will be able to provide aid to patients who have been disabled by cancer with wheel chair, crutches and other mobilities.

      The organization will be able create awareness to reach out to the general public with information on cancer.

       The organization will be able to initiate and run new cancer support groups in the region.

      The organization will be able to establish a cancer dedicated recovery center/ ward within Metropolitan Hospital.

      The organization will be able to train its members on lose and grief/bereavement counseling skills.

EXPECTED OUTPUT

1.      There will be continuation of care to prolong the lives of cancer patients with the cancer survivors taking the role of spearheading the care and awareness campaigns

2.      There will be reduced early deaths rate due to early case detection and improved care and management of the affected.

3.      There will be reduced stigma associated to cancer due to the general public sensitized on cancer related issues.

For us to counter this, we propose that with the availability of funds, we can have the following objectives met:

                                                                                                           

      We can be able to scale up on care and management of the affected in terms of palliative treatment and symptom management. This will make them lead a prolonged quality life and the patients being able to take care of their children thus reducing the number of patients abandoned due to excessive pain during the sunset of their lives.      

      We will train both the survivors and volunteers on palliative care in order for them to be able to provide palliative services to cancer patients at home and within Metropolitan palliative wards.

      We will be able to provide patients with pain and Symptom Management Drugs to encourage and put a smile into the lives of even patients who have given up their fight against Cancer.  

      We intend to conduct sensitization meetings at workplaces and the community to raise awareness on cancer to the general public.

      The organization will be able to sustain conducting of the ongoing screening of all forms of cancer once a week.                                                                                

BUDGET 

The organization is seeking strategic partners to assist in the realization of the resource gaps as stated below;  

v     Partners to support construction of semi temporary structure within Metropolitan Hospital for conducting our weekly clinic, displaying and storing our merchandise.

v     Partners to fund the organizations activities and programs within and outside Metropolitan Hospital.

v     Partner to facilitate the Human resource to give lectures and Health-talks to patients within the health facility and the general public.

v     Partners to support the publication of Information Education Communication (IEC) Material i.e. Books, Brochures, Posters, T-shirts and Caps for establishment of a Patients Resource Centre.

v     Partners to support the training of 30 trainers and care givers, for the large population of Eastland residents and the country at large.