A Nakumatt outlet/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 27 — Nakumatt Holdings customers, staff, and suppliers have raised more than Kshs 14.2 million in aid of a Cancer awareness and management initiative spearheaded by the retailer.
The funds raised last month under the ‘Nakumatt Lets Fight this Battle Together initiative’, will be channeled towards life saving nationwide Cancer screening initiatives. The funds will also be used to underwrite follow up treatment programs for Cancer patients.
Speaking when he confirmed the initiative’s success this year, Nakumatt Holdings Business Development Head, Mr. Neel Shah, said the in-store fundraising campaign has successfully raised more than Kshs 32 million over the last three years.
The annual in-store fundraising initiative is undertaken at all the 46 Nakumatt Branches in Kenya and saw more than 10,000 individual Nakumatt customers make a worthy contribution by donating cash, loyalty points and products this year.
More than 5000 individuals underwent Cancer screening at Nakumatt branches this year, pushing the cumulative number of individuals screened since 2014 to 7,262.
“Of the 7,622 individuals screened since 2014, more than 500 individuals’ were detected with suspicious cells necessitating further examination and confirming the need to enhance Cancer awareness efforts,” Neel explained, adding that, “funds raised from this campaign have helped cover the full Cancer treatment costs for more than 30 individuals.”
While extending his gratitude to the firm’s customers, suppliers and staff for their support, Neel said that Nakumatt Holdings will continue to deploy its retail resources including its branch network and information technology platform to support social causes.
As part of this commitment, Nakumatt shoppers have the opportunity to redeem and donate their loyalty Points to specific worthy causes. Besides loyalty Point redemption, Nakumatt has also added a convenient donate-at-the-till feature for customers wishing to top up, or make their donations, as they pay for their shopping.
“At Nakumatt, we are as concerned, as the rest of the world on the impact of social challenges including the growing Cancer cases. We have therefore made a conscious decision to positively play a key role in raising awareness on Cancer management while facilitating fundraising initiatives,” Neel said.
Nakumatt works closely with Faraja Cancer Support Trust, as a clinical screening and treatment facilitator. Ms. Shaira Adamali, herself a Cancer survivor, founded Faraja Cancer Support Trust in 2010 to provide support to Cancer patients.
Faraja Cancer Support Trust works closely with Cancer patients and their caregivers to provide emotional, medical and recovery support by hosting and facilitating monthly focus groups, massage therapies, yoga sessions and necessary medical treatments.
Faraja also works alongside several institutions and hospitals that offer conventional Cancer treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.
Raising awareness for Cancer and boosting survival rates has been the key objective for the Nakumatt Lets Fight this Battle Together Initiative, as global research confirms that when detected early – localized stage – the five-year survival rate is 98 per cent for breast Cancer victims. Regrettably due to low awareness, over 30 per cent of women are routinely diagnosed with breast Cancer only after it has spread beyond the localized stage.
According to a report by the International Journal of Cancer, disparities predominantly arise from inequities in work, wealth, income, education, housing and overall standard of living, as well as social barriers to high-quality Cancer prevention, early detection and treatment services.
Additionally, persons with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to engage in behaviors that increase Cancer risk such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor diet due to environmental or community barriers.
