In the city of Lagos, founders of organizations and stakeholders in the health sector focusing on Sickle Cell Disease and childhood cancers from more than 10 countries have come together.
For two days [April 12 & 13, 2026], they have been here with the aim of learning from one another, collaborating, and strengthening efforts to save the lives of children born with these conditions across Africa.
It is an open platform for exchanging experiences how these organizations operate within their respective countries and the best ways to move forward together.
The reality is that everything begins with purpose. This meeting is a result of the efforts of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This vision was founded by Danny Thomas, who, according to history, went through a difficult period before achieving great success.
In a moment of despair, he prayed to Saint Jude, asking not for wealth, but for direction in life.
His promise to build a “shrine” later became an institution that saves the lives of thousands of children worldwide.To make that dream a reality, ALSAC was established in 1957, even before the hospital itself was built.
Today, ALSAC is responsible for mobilizing resources, leading awareness campaigns, and strengthening the capacity of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to reach more children globally.
This model of collaboration continues to serve as an important lesson for many developing countries, especially in Africa.
“Collaboration like this demonstrates the power of unity in transforming the lives of children across Africa. When we bring together experience, resources, and genuine commitment,
we build a strong foundation to ensure that every child has a chance to live a healthy life.
This work is not about a single organization, but a collective response to ensure that no child is left behind,” says Drew Phillips, Sr. Director, Foundation Engagement.
THE AFRICAN PICTURE
Despite global advances in treatment, Africa continues to bear a heavy burden of childhood diseases.
According to global statistics, more than 300,000 children are born each year worldwide with Sickle Cell Disease, and over 75 percent of them are from Africa.
In East Africa including Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania the disease remains a major public health challenge.
In Tanzania, the situation is even more concerning. The country is among those with the highest number of sickle cell cases in Africa.
Currently, the number of children born with the condition has increased from an estimated 8,000 - 11,000 to about 14,000 annually.
This highlights the urgent need for increased public awareness and early genetic screening.
Another major challenge is the high number of children who die before reaching the age of five due to the disease.
A similar situation is seen with childhood cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa, where late diagnosis remains a significant challenge.
Limited access to specialized care and low community awareness continue to reduce the chances of successful treatment outcomes.
It is clear that there is still a great deal of work to be done by these organizations to help save the lives of children affected by these diseases across Africa.
Danny Thomas strongly believed that, “no child should die in the dawn of life.”
This belief is shared by participants in the meeting, who agree that change begins when one person, one organization, or one community takes action.
By combining efforts, knowledge, and experience, it is possible to transform the narrative of child health in Africa.
THE POWER OF COLLABORATION
Program Manager at Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana, Portia Asantewaa Agyekum, is among the first beneficiaries of the SSA St. Jude Global Scholar Program.
She says the program has been a valuable learning experience that brought new insight into her role and the organization as a whole.
Changes have occurred both internally and externally, especially in adopting new strategies for resource mobilization.
“After the training, we began using new strategies including hosting dinners, as well as strengthening our presence on social media and radio,” she explains.
She acknowledges that one of the biggest challenges was gaining public trust, especially in an environment where some organizations had previously lost credibility.
However, she says the program has helped validate their work. “Now people see the value of what we do and are beginning to trust us.”
On a personal level, she says she has undergone significant psychological and professional transformation.
From being shy and lacking confidence, she is now able to speak boldly, build relationships, and reach out to stakeholders even through simple methods like direct messaging.
A POSITIVE OUTLOOK
For 21 years now, Sidney Chahonyo from Hope for Cancer Kids in Kenya has been celebrating his victory over cancer.
His experience inspired him to establish an organization that now supports more than 500 children every month.
Sidney, also a beneficiary of the St. Jude Global Scholar Program, says the children receive comprehensive support including treatment, transport, accommodation, psychosocial care, and even art therapy.
“The Global Scholars Program has completely changed my mindset from thinking small to planning strategically for the long term,” he says.
“…including collaborating with major stakeholders and attracting more resources.”
OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
Executive Director of Uganda Child Cancer Foundation, Moses Echodu, says the training has been a journey of learning and building greater trust in their operations.
“Before the training, our fundraising capacity was low. Many people did not believe in us, but after the training, we have improved significantly,” he says.
He notes that their organization’s income has increased from $15,000 to $36,000.
“We introduced a system of engaging monthly donors, which builds trust. We provide updates on our progress.
It has strengthened collaboration, transparency, and accountability. Trust is everything because without it, people cannot support you,” he emphasizes.
One of the major achievements has been the transformation in how organizations operate.
Previously, some worked in what could be described as “organized chaos.”
But now, there are structured systems every activity has a plan, every event has a strategy, and every message targets a specific audience.
The key lesson is that success cannot be achieved by one person alone it requires collective effort from staff, leadership, and boards of directors.
Within organizations, everyone is involved in decision-making, implementation, and resource mobilization.
In the era of social media, participants also emphasize the importance of ethics in storytelling, particularly in protecting the privacy of children.
Chapisha Maoni