ASA WOMEN USA CANCER COALITION: INTERNATIONAL CANCER DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE PROJECT

ASA Women USA Cancer Diagnostic Centre

Anambra State Association, Women in USA, Inc. known as ASA Women USA Cancer Coalition, a registered 501-C-3 non-profit national organization, is headquartered in Laurel, Maryland in the United States of America, and dedicated to raising awareness and implementing programs to address health and educational issues that affect men, women, children, youth, and physically challenged individuals in Anambra State in Nigeria and in the USA.

Since inception in 2011, ASA Women USA Cancer Coalition has inspired and partnered with major organizations in USA and in Nigeria, especially with the Division of Breast Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI & Anambra State Government of Nigeria and has embarked on an annual signature fundraising event within United States of America and in Nigeria (5K Walk for Hope to End Cancer) aimed at raising funds to support the cancer advocacy, education, awareness, proposed construction of Cancer Treatment/ Diagnostic Centre and Cancer & Maternal Health Medical Missions to the under-privileged men, women children & physically challenged individuals in Anambra State, Nigeria.

To date, ASA Women USA Cancer Coalition has sponsored four (2012, 2014, 2016 & 2018) Cancer & Maternal health medical missions across the three Senatorial Zones in 27 towns in Anambra State, Nigeria. Medically treated over 25,000 underprivileged men, women, children & physically challenged Individuals and sponsored the hospital bills of over 150 successful breast, cervical, prostate cancer & Gynecological post medical mission surgical cases; Donated diagnostic equipment, such as GE AMX4 Portable X-ray Machine, Pulse Oximeters etc. to General Hospital Onitsha, Nigeria for sustainability of the programs. Donated funds for Breast Cancer to Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Treatment Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington D.C to continue to eliminate barriers to cancer care by providing free breast cancer screenings, patient navigators, access to diagnosis and treatment services, and transportation assistance to DC area women in need and to participate in the ASA Women USA 5th Cancer and Maternal Health Medical Mission to Anambra State, Nigeria.

The team has also sponsored the Feasibility & Viability Studies of the Proposed Cancer Treatment/ diagnostic Center in Anambra State. ASA Women USA Cancer Coalition is currently seeking for Project Partnerships in the building of the Cancer Treatment/ Cancer Diagnostic Health Centre in Anambra State, Nigeria for long term economic health.

The biannual Cancer & Maternal Health medical missions to Anambra State are in collaboration with Anambra State Government, Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Surgery, Milwaukee, USA, OBGYN Westside in New York, USA, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, General Hospital, Onitsha, St Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha, Breast Without Spot (BWS) Initiatives, Cancer Prevention Advocate Group and other local and national organizations.

Findings from the medical missions supported general data by indicating a high incidence of mortality from preventable breast, cervical and prostate cancer, linked to underreporting, lack of appropriate diagnosis, limited access to care, differences in technical manpower, lack of infrastructure & lack of funds.

Studies have shown that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes. Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. Diagnosis and treatments are part of the practice of a wide number of medical specialists and there are national initiatives calling for a multidisciplinary approach to the care of breast cancer patients. The multiple components and aspects of the treatment of breast cancer require a high level of coordinated care among different specialties.

This coordination becomes even more challenging because of the rapid evolution of new treatment modalities and is especially important due to the possibility of improved outcomes both in terms of curing the disease, as well as maintaining the physical and psychological well-being of the patient.

For this reasons, ASA Women USA Cancer Coalition has set goals for the next few years: to increase access to quality healthcare in Anambra State through cancer awareness, advocacy, education & project partnerships with local & International communities beginning with the expansion of the Obiagu Okpala Health Centre, Amichi, under construction into International Cancer Diagnostic Centre in Amichi, Anambra State and Adoption of persons from our various communities for Health Insurance Premium Coverage in the State’s Health Insurance Scheme.

This is for a sustainable and cost-effective means to accessing quality and affordable health services across Anambra State. This proposed Cancer Treatment / Diagnostic Centre projects are in-line with the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the under-development healthcare needs for Nigeria.

We are grateful to you for looking at the possibility of funding our Cancer Diagnostic Centre construction project in Amichi town, Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria. We thank you also for taking the time to learn more about our services to the Nigerian community in USA and in Africa. We are asking you to invest in this important lifesaving project and look forward for a sustainable relationship.

Please make your check payable to ASA Women USA, Memo: Cancer Project Fund and mail this form and your check to: ASA Women-USA, P. O. Box 3611, Laurel, MD 20709-3611
Direct Deposit: ASA Women USA, Capital One Bank, A/C #1360294001
ASA Women USA, UBA Bank, A/C#; 1017373349

OR payment via PayPal / Credit Card, Visit us: Website: www.asawomenusa.org
We are available to meet with you and discuss our plans for the Cancer Diagnostic Centre. You can email us at asawomen_usa@yahoo.com and visit our website anytime to view our past achievements www.asawomenusa.org.

Respectfully yours,
Dr. (Mrs.) Anthonia Uche Umeh Founder & National President, ASA Women USA Cancer Coalition Email: Ucheumeh16@yahoo.com, Phone: 301 520 3849 Email: asawomen_usa@yhoo.com. Website: www.asawomenusa.org