Stanbic rallies corporate support for cancer patients

Kampala: The Chief Executive of the Stanbic Business Incubator Limited (SBIL), Catherine Poran, has asked Uganda’s corporate entities to rally behind efforts to support the care of disadvantaged children suffering from cancer.

“We urge every corporate entity to make a donation to this noble cause. Volunteers are also welcome, as we believe collective efforts can lead to meaningful outcomes,” she said. SBIL is a subsidiary of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL).

During a recent courtesy call at Bless a Child Foundation (BCF) in Kampala, Poran handed over a donation of UGX5 million on behalf of SBIL. Her team was accompanied by a team from SUHL’s other subsidiaries, including Stanbic Bank and SBG Securities, a brokerage and investment firm.

BCF is a non-profit organization that provides care support services to children from the ages of 0–18 years suffering from cancer and related infections.

Established in March 2007, BCF was founded as a result of a realized need that pediatric cancer patients in Uganda had inadequate access to medical care and support and has since taken care of over 9000 children.

“Though our contribution may seem modest, we believe it will make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most,” she said.

SBCF is one of several beneficiaries in the current SUHL campaign to give back to the community, dubbed ‘October L.O.V.E. Month’.

Poran said, “At Stanbic Uganda, we recognize the importance of giving back to the communities that have supported us. Uganda is our home, and we are dedicated to driving her growth.”

The foundation opened its first care home, Akiba, in Kampala in 2010, and a second one, Mikisa, in 2021 near Makerere. These homes provide accommodation for children undergoing cancer treatment in Kampala, alongside their caregivers.

BCF founder, Brian Walusimbi, shared his vision for the organization. “Our mission is to provide child-friendly care and psychosocial support to children suffering from cancer, enabling them to access and complete treatment. We aim to create a world where children can receive quality cancer care and treatment, free of charge,” he said.

Peter Genza, the program manager at BCF, expressed gratitude for the timely donation and said, “This contribution will help expand our support for the homes, reducing treatment abandonment and missed medical appointments. Recently, we opened a third home, Grace, in Mbarara district, to serve families receiving cancer care at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.”

BCF’s Akiba Operations Manager, Simon Kasagga, said referrals to their homes are made by hospitals based on the need for accommodation and meals. “The homes offer a crucial service, allowing children to stay close to the hospitals for their treatment cycles and reducing transport costs,” he said.

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