Giving Hope

The Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project has been recognised at the 2018 World Cancer Congress (WCC) as on of the global innovative projects of hope for this year’s assembly.

The assembly started yesterday and will continue until Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An initiative of Bank Windhoek and is in support of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN). The project was started in 2000 and has raised more than N$20 million since its inception. Last year alone, a record amount of N$3 million was raised through the sale of apples.

This international recognition of innovative fundraising is the culmination of the impact made by the local Namibia National Cancer Outreach Programme (NCOP). Funded primarily by the proceeds raised through the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project, NCOP’s main aim is to educate, break the stigma associated with cancer and screen people from all walks of life in all 14 regions of Namibia.

The goal of the Programme is early detection and subsequent treatment, which impacts and saves lives. Since 2015, more than 20 000 people countrywide have been screened free of charge. Funds raised through the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project have also been used to establish the CAN Erongo Centre, where an increase in the incidences of cancer has been observed. The CAN Erongo Centre provides screening services to the public as well as psycho-social support.

Funds raised through the 2015 Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project were also used to establish the CHICA Interim Home in 2016. CHICA focusses on assisting children with cancer and their families and the Interim Home houses them when they are in Windhoek for treatment.

Rolf Hansen, CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia will present an abstract at the international event under the heading ‘An apple a day, helps keep cancer away’, while the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project will be showcased as part of the session themed ‘Global Fundraising/ Spotlight On Innovative Fundraising Models’.

“What we’ll be doing is to tell the world about our National Outreach Programme, we can learn from other countries but at this platform, I am also going to teach other low income countries best practices, what we’ve learnt, what worked and what didn’t so that we can empower those nations”, said Hansen. “Namibia is paying it forward. What the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project has realised in the past 18 years is that it is now time to plough back into communities, strategically with knowledge and wisdom and to pay it forward to other countries.“