Cold Caps Prevent Hair Loss During Chemo- On going Research  Scalp cooling - has been effective in preventing hair loss in as many as 80 to 90 percent of people receiving chemo who have tried it. Read More |
Challenges and opportunities in cancer control in Africa: From African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer 
The prediction is, greater than 85% increase in cancer burden by 2030. Approaches to minimize the burden of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa in the past few years have had little success because of low awareness of the cancer burden and a poor understanding of the potential for cancer prevention. Read More |
Women's Height Linked to Cancer Risk According to New Study 
A woman's cancer risk appears to increase with her height. A new study showed that the taller a postmenopausal woman
is, the greater her risk for a number of cancers, including breast, colon and skin cancer, among others. Read More |
Preventing Skin Cancer
Summer Sun Safety
The  Sand and pavement reflect UV rays even under the umbrella. Snow is also a particularly good reflector of UV rays. These reflected and intensified rays can damage the skin. Read More |
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
We all need immunizations to help protect us from serious diseases. The Michael & Mauritia Patcha Foundation is proudly participating in the National Immunization Awareness Month.
We encourage parents of young children to get recommended immunizations by age two and parents of older children, preteens and teens to ensure that they have received all recommended vaccines by the time they go back to school. We remind college students to catch up on immunizations before they move into dormitories.
The next flu season is only a few months away. Talk to your healthcare provider about the vaccines you need. |
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The Medical Mission Impacted Lives
The Patients are Real, The Stories are Real,
Our Work is Real, The Patcha Foundation is for Real |
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Caroline Shares Her Experience 
I am Caroline. I am married and a mother of 4, and work as a Security Woman with a private security company in Limbe. I have lived a period of severe pains and difficulties. I was worried and disturbed all the while, and lived in constant fear. I was haunted by the dead of my mother's sister and my brother's wife who both died as a result of breast problem. Back then, we had no idea it could be cancer.
My problem started last year when I had some health problems and went to the hospital. I was given some medication to take. A few weeks later, I felt severe pains in my breast, and when I returned to the hospital, I was told it was the result of overdose medication. I had been to the hospital several times and got drained of my finances. Then one of the Sundays in May, I went to the Full Gospel Church at Clerk's Quarters and there was the announcement that a Medical team was visiting Cameroon.
I want to particularly thank Mr. Ngomogo Emmanuel who reminded me of the mission that morning, urged me to go there with my problem, granted me permission to leave my station and provided me with transportation to go for the screening.
I want to thank Ms. Sylvia Dasi, Mrs. Stella Adamu for their very kind attention, encouragement and care during the screening and through the operation process. Special thanks to Dr. Onyewu for the professional work he did on me; it was like taking a jigger out of a toe. I thank Dr. Tchounzou Robert of the Regional Hospital Limbe for his follow-up on me.
Ever since the operation, I have been feeling great. The lump is gone and the pains are gone too. I am still taking antibiotics, and the wound is drying up.
I continue to pray God for Patcha Foundation and their sister organization of African Women who organized this event. May God continue to grant them the grace to do even more. They have demonstrated that they care for the poor and needy like us; this is hard to find in a world where every other person is thinking money.
I am so impressed that they continue to follow us to know how we are doing and finding ways to help. Thank God for them all. |
Catherine Gives Feedback
I am Catherine, I live in Limbe and I am a bu siness woman involved in petit trading. I was dignosed with cervical abnormalities during the Medical Mission in June 2013 in Limbe and I was administered treatment by Cryotherapy.
I want to very much appreciate the organizations that organized this mission and the people behind it. It beats my imagination that people can still give their time to help people this much in a world driven by money.
I came to the screening exercise feeling fine and looking good outwardly. But I was shocked when the doctors detected that I had a problem. There are many people out here who think they are healthy, but who slowly are dying inside. Many of my friends are now regretting that they ignored taking part during the exercise. They wish the hands of time could be turned back for them to go for the screening.
I have another appointment for December with the Cervical team at the Baptist Hospital in Mutengene. I feel so relieved. This exercise relieves one from present and future financial, social and health stress. I am encouraging all women by my experience to find all possible ways to carry out breast and cervical screening. Cancer is something we used to hear like fairy tales, but it is here with us today whether we accept it or not. Many of my friends are now in regret.
I don't have anything to give your organization but my prayers. Thank God for them for thinking of the poor and needy in our communities. My husband and I are particularly touched by your everyday concern. Please carry out many such programs to educate and rescue those who are still living in ignorance. Cancer is real!!! |
Mrs. Kasey Remembers Her Sister's Cancer Struggle
 I am Mrs. Kasey. My late sister, NKEING Therese developed health problems way back in 2008 during which she had her womb scrapped out. Some months later, the problem persisted and she had to return to hospital for further diagnosis. It was during this time that the doctors determined she had abnormalities in her cervix. A series of tests were recommended after which it was confirmed she had "cervical cancer". It was advised that treatment be commenced at once.
Cancer was not so common a thing back then and denial was commonplace. My sister could not believe the gravity of what was being told her, and rather preferred to follow the advice of one of our uncles in the village to pursue traditional medicine for treatment. Little did she know she was poking at a sleeping viper; her health rapidly deteriorated over a couple of months and pains took the greater part of her life. We had to seek medical attention and it was concluded that she was in an advanced stage. The traditional medicine had only helped to establish the disease in her more.
In 2013 when I moved to Buea, I brought her over to spend time with me because I realized she needed more of emotional support at the level where she was. It was horrible an experience; I saw my sister die in pain and die slow.
In the late week of May 2013, we got the announcement about the Medical Mission jointly organized by the African Women's Cancer Awareness Association and the Patcha Foundation and this brought a huge sigh of relief to her life. I remember on the night of screening exercise in Buea, my sister woke me up at 3 AM asking we go to the screening site. I told her it was only three o'clock in the morning ...
her pains was much and she just felt like being there, because to her being there was hope for betterment. At 4 AM, she got me up again and asked that we go to the Buea Regional Hospital where the screening was programmed. I reminded her again that it was too early and there were going to be no people yet on site. She had already taken her bath in the early hours of 2 AM.
I can recall we were the very first people at the mission site in Buea. The place was heavily populated, but with the assistance of one of the volunteers who noticed and understood the pains she saw in my sister, he struggled to see us through the line. My sister could not stand, and I had to take up her place in the queue all the time.
Patcha Foundation pledged to help her after the mission. However, things did not go as planned because God had another agenda for her. Go Here For Complete Article |
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Future Events
Save these dates |
The Patcha Foundation Annual Walk to Fight and...WIN Event in the USA and Cameroon
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Fish Fry, USA Only, Right After The Walk
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The Patcha Foundation Annual CASEC Gala
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The Next Patcha Foundation Medical Mission of Hope to Cameroon
April 2014
Be a part of it. Your life will be forever changed. |
Did you know that just $25 can pay for screening or other health benefits for one person in Cameroon? That is less than 13,000CFA. So how about it? Consider making a difference in the life of at least one person. Thank You!
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Interested in joining us? We are always looking for partners, volunteers and donations. Email your interest or inquiry.
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Our Goal: To reduce the impact of cancer on African communities in diaspora and on the continent.