Genus supports BTMAT in the Cameroon
We are pleased to provide continued support for the Beryl Thyer Memorial Africa Trust (BTMAT) which promotes the relief of sickness among children through the provision of medical aid, financial assistance and other support to medical services, particularly those of Banso Baptist Hospital and Mbingo Baptist Hospital, for the protection of health of children and particularly the diagnosis and treatment of Burkitt's Lymphoma.
Burkitt’s Lymphoma is a childhood cancer endemic to equatorial Africa and is the most common malignancy of children in this area. The disease characteristically involves the jaw or other facial bone, the abdomen and organs and is invariably fatal if left untreated.
It is potentially curable using EPOCH, a chemotherapy regimen comprising etoposide, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide and prednisone.
BTMAT’s projects in the Cameroon rescue between 60 and 65% of its children with cancer.
Dear Genus, I have just returned from a 14 day visit to Cameroon. You simply have no idea what an enormous impact the Burkitt Lymphoma program has had on this community. We have by now treated approximately 600 children of whom about half are free of disease. Thank you for this generous contribution. You are really helping us to save the life of at least one child every week!
- Prof Peter Hesseling, Clinical Director BTMAT & Emeritus Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at Stellenbosch University, South Africa