PZ Cussons Ghana, Ghana’s leading producers of personal and homecare goods, have donated GHC 250,000 to the Childhood Cancer Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The donation culminates the first phase of the Camel “Because We Care” Campaign which was launched in November 2020 as a Corporate Social Responsibility campaign aimed at creating awareness on Childhood Cancer and providing financial support for diagnosis, treatment and refurbishment of the Childhood Oncology Unit at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The campaign, led by the Camel brand, run from November 2020 to January 2021. During this period, PZ Cussons Ghana made a commitment to donate GHC 0.20 off every bottle of Camel Antiseptic Liquid purchased by consumers to support Childhood Cancer in Ghana. PZ Cussons also committed an equal amount of funds to raise awareness especially on the early warning signs of childhood Cancer.
Donating the items, Marketing Manager for Personal Care Category, Mary-Ann Boaten explained that “The specific areas we want is on diagnosis because many people are not aware of their state in childhood cancers. Some of the cash donated will go into cure and treatment as well as refurbishment of the environment but majority of it will go into diagnosis. Priority will be given to low income mothers and single parents. This is not under the NHIS so; it is an opportunity to help those who genuinely need a helping hand especially in this pandemic.”
She added that: “The mantra for Camel Antiseptic is “Say Yes to life” and we want to live this mantra through everything we do including this very special initiative. The funding will be provided to eligible candidates with priority given to single parents and needy families”.
Initially when the project begun, Mary-Ann Boaten explained that PZ Cussons targeted 100 diagnosis and 10 treatments however, with the uniqueness that come with cancer, there was the need to focus on patients who are in critical conditions and in dire need of assistance.
She assured that the campaign has come to stay and will be extended to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi.
PZ Cussons is committed to enhancing the lives of its consumers, with quality, value and innovation and this vision underpins all its activities in Ghana including this CSR Campaign.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Department of Child Health, the Head of Paediatric Oncology Unit, Prof. Lorna Awo Renner, noted that the donation will go a long way to improve the lives of children with good quality care and “we believe that many more children will survive. We are happy that this gesture is not a one-off but something that will continue.”
She expressed appreciation to PZ Cussons for the kind gesture assuring that the donation will be used for its purpose. “It is going to assist a lot of our kids to have a better life. We want to thank you for this kind gesture”
About International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD)
ICCD is the day marked globally to raise awareness about childhood cancer, to express support for children living with cancer and their families. The day promotes increased appreciation and deeper understanding of issues and challenges impacting childhood cancer and survivors. It also highlights the need for more equitable and better access to treatment and care for all children with cancer, everywhere.
