MCAI (Maternal & Childhealth Advocacy International) is delighted to have been chosen as the Charity of the Year of Europe’s leading NGO travel management company, Key Travel.

Employees at Key Travel’s London, Manchester and Brussels offices voted to support MCAI’s work to treat and care for children who have the childhood cancer Burkitt’s lymphoma at Bamenda Regional Hospital, north west Cameroon. MCAI’s Honorary Country Director for Cameroon, Dr Alison Earley said: “This will mean so much to the families that we help. Burkitt’s lymphoma is such a painful illness and without our support families just can’t afford chemotherapy or travel.”

The fundraising target announced by Key Travel will ensure that ten children will be able to have chemotherapy treatment which their families would otherwise not be able to afford. An essential part of the project is to also offer appropriate palliative care for children whose cancer hasn’t been caught in time. Key Travel’s COO, Steve Summers said: “ MCAI was chosen by Key Travel staff from a shortlist of 3 charities. The subject of cancer is close to everyone’s hearts and the work MCAI does in Cameroon is extremely valuable. We will be organising a range of fundraising events throughout the year to get staff involved and hope to raise as much money as we can to help these children have long, happy and healthy lives.”

Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) is a particularly aggressive cancer of the lymph system. It’s the fastest growing tumour in man and can double in size in 24 hours. It affects children from two to sixteen years and is very rare in the UK but more common in tropical Africa. MCAI has already treated 150 children and is looking forward to the benefits a successful year of Key Travel fundraising events will bring.

Posted in: Cameroon, Fundraising