Ukraine

Improving Cancer Screening Through Continuing Education

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When stressful crisis situations become part of everyday life, this leads to an increase in chronic illnesses. This is also the case in Ukraine, where cancer rates have been rising for years. Young women are particularly affected. In the Volyn region, in western Ukraine, we are working to enable early cancer diagnosis in rural areas through training, mobile screenings, and public education, thereby saving lives. 

At a glance

Target audience

healthcare professionals, vulnerable individuals—particularly women from rural areas—and the entire population of the Volyn region and western Ukraine

Goal

Improved cancer screening through the training of primary care professionals, mobile screening, and public education on cancer prevention

Partners & Donors

All-Ukrainian Charity "Child Well-being Fund Ukraine," supported by GIZ's "Hospital Partnerships" program

Background

In Ukraine, the number of cancer cases has been rising at an alarming rate for years, with young women being particularly affected. This trend places a significant strain on the healthcare system and creates a precarious situation for the population of this Eastern European country. Although modern screening methods and cancer treatments have been introduced in recent years, a nationwide program for effective prevention is still lacking.

 

Medical care is particularly inadequate in rural areas, such as the Volyn region in western Ukraine. Local doctors and medical professionals often lack the necessary training and specific oncological knowledge. Furthermore, there is no adequate infrastructure for effective early cancer detection. As a result, many cancers are not detected until they have reached advanced stages, which complicates treatment and increases the mortality rate.

 

For many families, a cancer diagnosis represents not only a medical crisis but also a financial and emotional one. The limited opportunities for early detection and the inadequate medical care in rural areas further exacerbate these problems.

 

It is therefore crucial to improve cancer screening and early detection in order to enhance the quality of life and survival rates of those affected. Only through targeted measures and collaboration among various stakeholders in the healthcare system can sustainable improvement be achieved. 

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Ukraine; in 2020 alone, there were 1.2 million patients and 160,000 new diagnoses.

Less than 50% of cancer diagnoses in Ukraine are detected at an early stage.

In Ukraine, the mortality rate within the first year following a cancer diagnosis is twice as high as in EU member states.

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Our Commitment to Ukraine

We are actively committed to improving cancer screening in the Volyn region of western Ukraine. Our goal is to strengthen healthcare and thereby increase the chances of survival for people with cancer, even in areas outside major cities. By training local healthcare professionals and educating the public about the importance of prevention, we are improving cancer screening and early detection in the region. To this end, we organize training sessions for over 150 medical professionals, conduct mobile screenings for cervical and skin cancer, and provide better education through informational materials and campaigns. In this way, we ensure comprehensive screening coverage, even in rural areas, and empower local doctors.

We collaborate with our long-standing partner, the All-Ukrainian Charity “Child Well-being Fund Ukraine, local cancer organizations, and the “WOKL” Oncology Center in Lutsk. In doing so, we ensure that our initiatives are tailored to local conditions, integrated into the local healthcare system, and thus effective.

 

Through our commitment, we contribute to improved early detection and treatment of various types of cancer. By providing ongoing training for medical staff and supplying medical equipment, we ensure a sustainable improvement in cancer prevention. In this way, we strengthen long-term medical care for the entire community in Volyn, particularly for vulnerable groups such as internally displaced persons and those living with HIV and AIDS.  

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Your donation helps create a world where children can grow up safely, develop freely, and overcome poverty.

Häufig gefragt

What does ChildFund Germany stand for, and what is the goal of its work?

Our goal is to bring about lasting improvements in the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. Through our commitment to these children and families, we aim to make a positive difference and create lasting improvements, always guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This enables them to exercise their rights, overcome poverty and dependency, and lead independent and self-determined lives.

How can I be sure that my donation actually reaches its destination?

The efficient use of the donations entrusted to us is our top priority. To ensure that our aid is used in a highly targeted manner, we rely on close collaboration with local partner organizations in all the countries where we operate, so that our assistance meets the specific needs on the ground. Furthermore, all our support is guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This ensures that the people in our projects benefit from long-term and lasting changes and, in the long run, no longer depend on aid but can live independently and self-determinedly. Our transparent and responsible handling of donations is also confirmed by the DZI Donation Seal, which we have been awarded continuously since 1995 by the German Central Institute for Social Issues.

How does ChildFund Germany work?

Our work is made possible by three sources of funding: sponsorships, other donations, and public funds. Our projects funded by sponsorships are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.

 

The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.

 

In all projects, ChildFund plays two specific roles: First, raising funds so that the project work can be implemented at all. And second, bringing together and building bridges between those who provide money and expertise and those who lack these resources. The goal is to maximize mutual benefit from the collaboration and to advance our projects in the most effective way possible.

What kinds of projects does ChildFund Germany carry out?

Our projects, which are funded through sponsorships, are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.

 

The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.

What regions and issues does ChildFund Germany focus on?

We operate in various countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Our work focuses primarily on education, nutrition, livelihood support, and child protection, as well as humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Issues such as health and climate protection are also central to many of our projects.

How can I support ChildFund Germany?

There are many different ways to support our work. From a one-time donation to a regular donation as a “Future Donor” to becoming a sponsor, you are free to choose the form of support that best suits you. Long-term and particularly sustainable support can also take the form of a foundation or a bequest. We also offer a range of customized support options for businesses and schools.

How many people does ChildFund Germany reach?

Through our work, we reach people in over 30 countries around the world. Our projects benefit more than 80,000 children, their families, and their communities.

Give children a future now

Your donation helps create a world where children can grow up safely, develop freely, and overcome poverty.

Or become a sponsor?

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