Moses Echodu: Recounting 2024 and Looking at 2025 – Growth and Acceleration

Moses Echodu, Chief Executive Director at Uganda Child Cancer Foundation, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Recounting 2024 and Looking at 2025: Growth and Acceleration.

The year 2024 was truly a year of unprecedented opportunities and challenges for both the foundation and me. It was a year of growth, impact, and a renewed commitment to supporting children battling cancer in Uganda.

Achievements and Milestones:

As a foundation, we made significant strides in supporting over 1,000 families with children suffering from cancer. Our efforts focused on key areas, including:

• Transport Support: One of the primary reasons children abandon cancer treatment in Uganda is due to a lack of reliable transportation. By addressing this, we ensured that families could consistently access treatment, reducing dropouts and improving outcomes.
• Nutrition Program: Our nutrition initiative became one of our standout successes. Children now receive at least three meals a day, which has had a profound impact on their response to treatment. This program continues to be a cornerstone of our support services.
• Education and Awareness: We expanded our education and awareness initiatives significantly. In 2024, we reached over 20 schools across three regions of the country, spreading critical information about childhood cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.

• Fundraising Success: Our major fundraising campaign, the Childhood Cancer Colour Run, saw remarkable growth. In 2023, our initial campaign had over 1,000 participants. In 2024, we more than doubled that number, with over 2,100 participants. This success has given us renewed hope and excitement for what 2025 holds.
• Research and Advocacy: We launched our first-ever research project focused on improving leukemia diagnosis among children. Additionally, we had the privilege of presenting our work at the SIOP Africa Congress, further establishing our presence in the international childhood cancer advocacy space.

• Resource Mobilization: We received newfound support from both local and international donors and partners. Many supporters visited the foundation and the Uganda Cancer Institute to spend time with families battling chronic illnesses. Thanks to their generous contributions, we consistently provided essentials such as milk, porridge, bananas, eggs, fruit, toiletries, bedding, and more to the families we serve.

Strengthening Partnerships

In 2024, we welcomed several new partners who have strengthened our mission:

• Childhood Cancer International (CCI)
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Rotaract Corporate Football League
• Biyinzika Poultry Farmers
• SMS Construction
• Tel

We also maintained strong collaborations with our existing partners, including AFRON Oncology and Cambridge International. These partnerships remind us that the fight against childhood cancer requires a collective effort—a true village working together to create lasting change.

Challenges and Areas of Concern

While we celebrated many achievements, 2024 also brought its share of challenges:

• Rising Cancer Cases: The number of children being diagnosed with cancer continues to grow. In 2020, the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala reported over 550 cases. Today, that number has risen to over 700. According to GLOBOCAN, in 2020, over 3,000 children were diagnosed with cancer in Uganda. By 2024, that number had increased to more than 3,200.
• Financial Constraints: Managing the growing number of patients and their evolving needs remains a significant challenge. Financial limitations continue to impact our ability to provide comprehensive care and support to all families in need.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Despite these challenges, we remain optimistic about what 2025 holds. Our goals for the coming year include:

• Patient Hostel Construction: Through the Childhood Cancer Colour Run, we aim to raise funds to begin constructing a patient hostel that can accommodate 80-100 children and their caregivers. This facility will provide a safe and supportive environment for families during their treatment journey.
• Survivor Support Framework: We plan to roll out a cancer survivors’ framework to provide ongoing support to children who have completed treatment. This initiative will help survivors reintegrate into their communities and thrive post-treatment.
• Expanded Education and Awareness Programs: We will continue to grow our education and awareness efforts, ensuring that more communities are informed about childhood cancer and the importance of early detection.
• Enhanced Patient Support Services: Our core program—patient support—will be expanded to reach even more children and families in need. We are committed to ensuring that no family walks this journey alone.

Gratitude to Our Team

As we reflect on 2024 and look toward the future, I must acknowledge the incredible team behind our mission. Their tireless dedication, compassion, and resilience ensure that every family we serve feels supported, valued, and cared for. They are the true champions of this cause, and I am deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment.

Together, we continue to fight for a future where no child has to face cancer alone.

Here’s to 2025—a year of hope, growth, and impactful change.”

For more posts, follow OncoDaily.