MVC Foundation--Making an Impact through Awareness

By Joseph Vaakaa

Nigeria

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Following the death of his mother, Joseph Vaakaa founded a cancer non-profit foundation in Nigeria in her name “Mbakuran Vaakaa Cancer (MVC) Foundation” which has a goal to educate and increase public awareness to the public about cancer as most of those infected die as a result of knowledge gaps and lack of timely care and treatment. The following is a description of his work in increasing awareness awareness in Nigeria.

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The MVC Foundation is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria and is a member of Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA) and African Hepatitis B Advocacy Coalition (AHBAC).

VISION:

MVC Foundation envision a future where cancer and other dreadful diseases that escalate death will be mitigated and people living with these illnesses will not be preyed with fear of death or discrimination.

MISSION:

To improve the living condition of people infected/affected with cancer and other dreadful diseases and the general public through proper sensitization, treatment, care and capacity building aim at reducing their morbidity and mortality rate.

Since its establishment, MVC Foundation has been working tirelessly to bridge the knowledge gap by carrying out the following activities as detailed below:

1. Awareness: the Foundation has organized several outreach activities to educate the general public about cancer and other illnesses like hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, hypertension, their risk factors, symptoms, prevention and the benefits of early detection.

2. Screening: The Foundation provides free screening for Colorectal Cancer, Cervical Cancer, HIV, Hepatitis (B&C) and free BP check to the public in Nigeria.

3. Distribution of Items: MVC Foundation distribute items such as cancer educational posters/flyers; stickers, colostomy bags, feminine hygiene materials, toiletries, hand gloves, condoms, etc. to cancer patients/survivors, hospital facilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and students.

4. Advocate for Policy Change: MVC Foundation advocates for policy changes and reforms to improve access to cancer care, including screening, diagnosis and treatment particularly at the local level in Nigeria.

5. Support Services: the Foundation provides counselling services to cancer patients/ survivors and their families to address emotional and psychological needs and also offer material support such as toiletries and other medical supplies to manage pain and improve quality of life.

6. Patient Navigation: to help cancer patients navigate the healthcare system including helping them to access affordable treatment options and advocate for their rights.

7. World Cancer Day 2025: MVC Foundation commemorated World Cancer Day 2025 in Benue State, first of its kind in the North Central Region of Nigeria.

The event started February 4, 2025 with a cancer walk from High-Level Underpass to

Swange Cinema, Wurukum Market Makurdi. During the cancer walk, jingles on different types of cancers were played, educational posters, stickers and flyers were shared, banners and placards carrying messages on cancer were also displayed for public view, free cancer screening of Colorectal Cancer, Hepatitis B&C and Cervical cancer was carried out after

the cancer walk.

All these activities were carried out both in rural and urban areas at various facilities, schools, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, worship centers, markets, government establishments and communities including hard-to-reach areas in Benue State with the aim to achieve early detection so as to reduce morbidity and mortality rate.

This year 2025, the Foundation has introduced new programs/activities to the foundation such as:

1.) End of Year Event: for Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers titled “Cheers to Life”. The maiden edition of the event is scheduled to be held on December 20, 2025 in Benue State, Nigeria. Highlights of the event will include, survivor’s stories, presentation of

gifts, motivational performances, honoring cancer patients and survivors with certificates, facilitate connections between patients, survivors &caregivers, and candlelight procession to honor loved ones lost to cancer.

2) Educational Support: MVC Foundation will provide financial support and writing materials to children who lost their parents to cancer.

3.) MVCF Widows Forum: MVC Foundation will provide counseling services and financial support to women who lost their husbands to cancer in Benue State.

CHALLENGES

The Challenges for this Foundation include Operational Vehicles and Funding. In Nigeria, particularly in Benue State, people in the rural and hard-to-reach communities including the underserved population are mostly disadvantaged in regards to awareness and sensitization programs thus there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about cancer which requires intensive and continues awareness creation and sensitization. As an organization, we lack operational vehicles to navigate to these communities.

Funding has remain my major challenge. It has been so difficult to carryout programs and activities. On several occasions, the Foundation has had to cancel activities due to lack of funds.

In 2024, the Foundation received its first supportive funding from the Global Colon Cancer

Association (GCCA) through her CRC Health Equity Grant on the title “Increase awareness for voluntary screening of Colorectal Cancer as a catalyst for early detection and prevention in Benue State – Nigeria”.

With the target to achieve early detection, the Foundation carried out intensive awareness campaigns about CRC, partnered with Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi and secured an office space at the hospital premises to provide emotional support to cancer patients and their families through counseling, offering palliative care and free screening of CRC for people aged 45 and above and those with the existing symptoms/family history below 45 years.

As a result of the intensive awareness during the implementation of the project,

people turned up more than expected and the Foundation has not been able to sustain

the screening due to lack of funds to acquire more kits after the project with GCCA wrapped up.