Rotaract Club of Malindi Resumes Cancer Campaign

By Deborah Mulemiah Nyongesa

The Rotaract Club of Malindi held a Cancer Awareness Charity Walk in Malindi town in November,2023 after a three year occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

During the 6.8 kilometers walk, there was free screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancer. We also had blood donation. In addition, 21 pints of blood were donated.

The aim of the walk was to increase awareness among the residents of Malindi on the need for frequent screening of cancer. The club intends to have another round of free screening for at least 150 residents by the end of the Rotary year.

“Our long-term goal is to work with the sub-county hospital to develop a database on the cancer prevalence in Malindi, dispel any myths associated with cancer in the community and get many people screened, support the treatment of needy cancer patients as well as offer psychosocial support to their caregivers,’’ according to the club’s President Emmanuel Andole.

The Mashinani War on Cancer (MWOC) campaign was initiated by the Rotaract Club of Malindi in 2017. Its activities include primary prevention interventions such as community sensitization and health talks within organizations, early detection through periodic screening, support to carry out diagnostic tests on confirmed cases for economically unstable suspects and assist confirmed cases to receive the prescribed treatment. MWOC also offers psychosocial support to cancer patients and their families through counselling.

The campaign stalled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the walk not happening in 2020-2021, the club sponsored five caregivers to an online training with Suruvi Caregivers as a way of achieving MWOC objectives and the president was awarded president of the month the second time for implementing his year plan. The club’s theme in 2023/2024 is Stand Up, Stand Strong, Stand Together.

The partners in this year’s campaign include: Tawfiq Hospital, the Malindi Sub-County Hospital, Kilifi County Women Representative Amina Mnyazi, Wambua Kilonzo & Company Advocates, Chepkwony & Associates Advocates, Buntwani Waterfront Park, Simba Ropa Band, CHVs, KCB Bank Kenya, Stanbic Bank Kenya, Cadas Investment Ltd, Efland Developers Co.,Wadadia, Angaza Young Mums, Plan B Licensed Land Surveyors, Raghib Stores, Sheshi Visual Arts and Ms. Jane Mwangi, a cancer survivor who gave us a talk on her journey with cancer.

The Rotary clubs of Malindi, Bamburi, Watamu, E-Club Safari and Ocean Breezes In-Formation took part in the walk, as well as the Rotaract clubs of Nairobi Gigiri, Kilifi and Mwatate. Tawheed Girls, Marereni Secondary, Mongotini Secondary, Jimba Gede Secondary and Central Primary School Interact Clubs In-Formation also participated.