Rose was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma five years ago – a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 1 – The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) in conjunction with the African Cancer Foundation on Friday announced plans to produce a documentary on Princess Rose Simiyu – a cancer survivor.
The board’s Chief Executive Officer Ezekiel Mutua told a media conference that the documentary will narrate her battle with the life threatening disease to create public awareness among children.
Rose was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma five years ago – a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells.
“KFCB hopes to confer this honour on her and continue working with her to give hope to the many children in the country that are suffering from cancer,” Mutua said.
The board also stated that it will be creating public awareness about the disease among children as part of the board’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
“We are going to support Rose to tell and document her story and ensure that it’s available online for people to benefit from it,” Mutua said.
The founder of the African Cancer Foundation Dorothy Nyong’o who also spoke at the press conference highlighted the need to focus attention on cancer in children.
“It’s time we focused our attention on cancer in children. Seventy percent of the cases are treatable,” said Nyong’o. “Most are in need of a bone marrow transplant, a process that is unavailable in the country and not to mention the cost.”
She also called on the government to step up its services for cancer patients by increasing accessibility of treatment and medical personnel in the country.
“We want in the next five years to be able to cover all the counties, to continue to work with the government and the private sector to provide treatment services,” she said.
Early detection remains the most important step in increasing the chances of successful treatment given that the disease is a scourge affecting many people in the country today.
“Currently cases of cancer are on the rise across the country and indeed early detection does save lives as it is evident with Princess Rose who now has a clean bill of health,” stated Nyong’o.
Mutua said the production of the documentary will be undertaken through collaboration with the Medial Literacy Program, whose aim will be to create public awareness.
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