Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame

BREAST CANCER INITIATIVE EAST AFRICA INC.

MISSION:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Kenya, second most common in women in Tanzania and Burundi and third most common cancer in women in Uganda and Rwanda. thus, Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa Inc. BCIEA Inc. is grass roots, 501 (c) 3, a non profit organization dedicated to ensure that through advocacy, awareness, education, empowerment and research, women in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) do not have to face breast cancer fearfully and hopelessly alone. This mission can only be accomplished by involving global health, medical and research communities in the detection, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. BCIEA passionately embraces the fact that awareness leads to early detection when the disease can be treated and this knowledge saves, empowers and changes lives.

Building on the evidence based methods and programs developed in the US, BCIEA is seeking collaboration and partnership with global health, research and medical institutions, and business communities to create sustainable breast cancer outreach and education in this low resource region. BCIEA’s main goal is to make statements like: “Early detection plus advancement in technology mean getting back to your normal life sooner” (Catherine, USA) a reality in East Africa instead of: “ I’d rather hide my pain than try to find out about a horrifying disease I have no power or means to fix,” (Mbabazi Uganda).

While the impact of major strides in cancer detection and treatment is increasingly being felt in USA and other high resource countries, the picture in East Africa is dismal. Local and world attention is understandably, focused mainly on HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases; while breast cancer or cancer in general remain among the non-communicable and neglected diseases. For example in Kenya with a population of 32 million, two oncologists and one radiology center, 95% of women have never had a clinical breast exam. According to 2008 U.S. Breast Cancer Fact Sheet, except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in U.S.A. In East Africa the majority of breast cancer victims hopelessly and helplessly wait for their death, and only the lucky few who can afford to seek treatment abroad survive.

LESSONS LEARNED:

The effective approaches and best practices that have worked successfully include: community assessment, volunteering and organization, awareness and education, fundraising, advocacy and research. BCIEA plans to modify and regionalize these proven programs and strategize to meet the local needs. BCIEA now has partnerships with two universities, two girls secondary schools in Rwanda and Uganda; two hospitals one religious group and the ministry of health in Rwanda. Efforts are being made to address policy issues in order to enlist active government involvement and support of this initiative in each country of the region. BCIEA Inc. founder, Philippa Kibugu-Decuir and Anne Rugege, Executive Director, Rwanda, were able to present the concept to the Rwanda Women Parliamentarians on Saturday, August 1, 2009 and it was positively received. Research in areas unique and peculiar to the region and establishment of data registries are crucial for the validity of this program and for positioning it into the next phase of aligning infrastructure, access and treatment.

“My people perish for lack of knowledge…” Hosea 4:6

Philippa Kibugu- Decuir M.ED

Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa Inc.(BCIEA Inc.)

High School Educator

15 yrs breast cancer survivor

Founder BCIEA Inc /Breast Health Advocate

www.breastcancerafrica.org A 501 (C), (3) non-profit organization. Any donation is tax-deductible

piot04@yahoo.com Tax ID # 261745379

281-564097: Office

832-439-1190: Mobile
281-3859703: Fax