The Cancer Association of Namibia this week officially marks 50 years of fighting cancer in Namibia. During the Annual General Meeting of the association conducted on Tuesday evening, President of the Board of Directors of CAN, Ms Saima Nambinga, reiterated that if it were not for the warm hearts and supporting hands of the Namibian community, CAN would never be where it is today.
Established in 1968 by the late Dr Abraham Bernard May, a former mayor of the City of Windhoek and specialist surgeon at Windhoek Central Hospital, the first “association operations” where conducted by caravan outreach comprising medical teams from South Africa visiting the then South West Africa. It was soon evident that a fully-fledged institution of hope for cancer prevention, screening and support was need in the country, and plans to be selfsustaining where put into place.
It was only 10 years later, in 1978 that the independent Cancer Association of SWA/Namibia could be formally called to order. During 1968 – 1978 “CASWA” (as it was referred to then) was still seen as a branch for CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa). At this date all income derived from national activities remained in the country to the full benefit if Namibians.
From humble beginnings under the South Africans, to a garage converted into an office at 90 Fritsche Street in Pioneers Park, to the strong national body that CAN is today – one can only applaud the resilience of Namibians, the CAN board and leadership over the years to build this institution and made it what it is today.
From our interim homes offering free accommodation to cancer patients receiving treatment in Windhoek; the Patient Financial Assistance- and Transport Support Programmes for cancer fights; to the National Cancer Outreach Programme that has screened more than 15 000 Namibians during the last 3 years alone – this is a victory of hope for all Namibians to be proud of!