Can you help? The disruption to people’s lives in Uganda due to Covid19 is significant. We are working with our partners in Uganda to help them minimise the effect on cancer patients and their treatments. This needs money, of course, so your support is needed more than ever.
As of 20 May 2020, there have been 246 confirmed cases and no deaths in Uganda, which sounds very promising, but there are significant challenges. The country has been in strict lockdown with a complete ban on public transport for more than 7 weeks. For most people this is a dire situation, particularly for those who rely on what they can earn on a day to day basis, just to provide food. This article is an example of the effect of the transport ban on the lives of rural people in Uganda.
And it is even worse for those cancer patients in palliative care or undergoing treatment trying to get to hospital and meet their treatment costs. Our partners, MMPCU and Uganda Cancer Society, are doing what they can to improve the situation for cancer patients through getting officially registered transport available, supporting the needs of patient hostels to respond to Covid19, providing facilities for palliative care staff and patient support volunteers to respond to patient needs. All bringing hope to patients and families in desperate need.
We have already provided grants to both partners from our existing reserves, but the need is great and we would like to do more. Can you help us? We have set up a specific appeal on Givey and on CAF, so anything you feel you could do, either by direct donation, by spreading the word or by setting up your own challenge, will be enormously helpful and much appreciated. You can donate here for Givey or here for CAF.
Our other project initiatives have been put on hold for the immediate future, but we hope once things settle down over the next year to be able to help the Uganda Cancer Society with the first stage of their Patient Sanctuary project, and to provide a specific Treatment Costs Fund managed in partnership with Mulago and Makerere Palliative Care Unit.
Finally, please can I ask a favour? Please please tell your friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues about the situation in Uganda, spread the word and help us improve the lives of many people who desperately need some hope in their lives.
Thank you for your continued support. Keep safe and well.