AN INTERVIEW DR. GRESMUS SSEBUYOYA MD
SCF 2023 MID YEAR REPORT
August 7, 2023
Here’s an update on events and activities of the foundation so far in 2023 which are made possible thanks to your support.
- NOHA BREAST CANCER RESEARCH: We remain excited about the possibilities for NOHA, a blood biomarker. It has the potential to diagnose and follow breast cancer patients with point of care testing at remote, underserved areas at minimal cost. That means avoiding the cost of mammograms and pathology testing (neither of which is available in Kagera). Breast Cancer in Tanzania (like many developing countries) has a mortality rate that is 6 times that of the U.S. Total SCF investment in NOHA research to date: $30,000.00.
- TANZANIAN SOLAR PROJECTS: We visited our three successful solar projects in Biharamulo. Additionally, we made a firm commitment to Rulenge Hospital to be our fourth solar project (expected cost = $105,00.00). Rulenge Hospital is on the Burundi – Tanzanian border. It is understaffed, resource limited and most notably has no consistent supply of electricity. (see more on our Facebook and Instagram pages ). Hopeful Rulenge completion: March, 2024.
- NEW LOGO AND TAGLINE: We are proud to display our new logo and tagline: NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE IN THE DARK.
- SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE: Thanks to the work of our new BOD member, Michela Adrian, the SCF has a growing social media presence, see links above. Awareness promotes our story, expands our network of support and hopefully increases funding for more projects.
None of our work would be possible without your help. As a friend and supporter, we depend on you. Please help us bring light to health care at Rulenge Hospital by contributing and / or responding generously to our year end fund raiser coming this fall. Because no one should have to practice medicine in the dark. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Larry Adrian
BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE IN THE DARK
April 12, 2023: Arusha, Tanzania
We went to Arusha, the headquarters of Power Providers, our go to solar energy contractors. The SCF has completed 3 solar energy projects in western Tanzania thanks in part to Power Providers and its director, Clive Jones. Our 4th solar project with Power Providers is planned for Rulenge Hospital in Kagera, Tanzania later in 2023. This hospital, near the Burundi border, currently has electricity about 50% of the time. The SCF wants to bring electrical power to medical providers BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD PRACTICE MEDICINE IN THE DARK.
Help us bring solar powered electricity to Rulenge Hospital by donating to our cause!
Arusha, population 600,000 under the spectacular Mt Meru.
SCF UPDATE: REPORT FROM TANZANIA 2023
April 2, 2023
We spent the month of February crisscrossing Tanzania from Dar es Salaam in the east, to the Burundi border in the west and then back to Dar es Salaam. Our purpose was to visit completed, up and running SCF projects and to research new ones. Consistent with our vision and mission, we work to improve health delivery and outcomes in this beautiful, developing but resource challenged country. Outlined here are current and future SCF projects listed by cities, towns and villages we visited across Tanzania.
More posts to follow here and on Instagram and Facebook.
Moshi, Tz: Breast Cancer Research at The Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC)
Breast Cancer mortality rates in Tz. and sub-Saharan Africa are some of the highest in the world. The culprit is late presentation and diagnosis of patients at rural health care facilities The SCF is a chief sponsor of research on a biomarker called NOHA. This is unique project is taking place in and designed to benefit women in low and middle income countries ( LMIC) who would otherwise not have access to surgery, biopsy, or pathologists not to mention chemo or XRay therapy ( XRT). Using simple point of care testing and technology NOAH may be able diagnose and differentiate breast cancer cell types with the patient never having to leave their village or home. This may lead to earlier diagnosis, better monitoring of disease and better outcomes.Total support to this date: $30,000.00 (USD). For more on NOHA see previous posts and the attached article.
SCF SPONSORED BREAST CANCER RESEARCH PRESENTED AT AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGIST (ASCO) ANNUAL MEETING
August 24, 2022
This year’s American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ANSCO) meeting featured research sponsored by The SCF. The research, presented by Dr. Sri Mohan from University of New England, addresses the issue of late diagnosis of breast cancer in low and middle income countries( LMIC). Late diagnosis is one of the primary causes that result in as much as an 80% mortality rate from breast cancer in some African countries. Dr Mohan’s research has identified the presence of NOHA, an easy to access blood bio-marker which, when present in low concentrations in the blood of breast cancer patients, could decide a course for early, inexpensive therapy. This simplified approach to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment could increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients in LMIC. We are very proud to help sponsor this important clinical research.
SCF RECEIVES CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FROM MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT BANK
SCF RECEIVES CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FROM MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT BANK
May 19, 2022
The Sandy Christman Foundation (SCF) is excited to announce the receipt of a $1,000.00 donation from the Morgan Stanley Investment Bank. We are particularly thankful to Andy Thomas, Lauren Stone and Jennifer Beecher at The Downeast Group in Portland, Maine for managing our account and initiating the donation process.
The SCF will display the Morgan Stanley logo on our corporate sponsor web page. We look forward to a continuing relationship with Morgan Stanley.
SCF CHOOSES RULENGE HOSPITAL FOR NEXT SOLAR POWER SITE
SCF CHOOSES RULENGE HOSPITAL FOR NEXT SOLAR POWER SITE
March 31, 2022
The Sandy Christman Foundation Board of Directors has agreed to fund a solar power electrical generation project at Rulenge Hospital in Rulenge, Tanzania.
This will be the Foundations fourth solar power project in the Kagera region of western Tanzania which sits two degrees south of the equator. Rulenge Hospital was built in 1952. It has 50 beds and supplies medical care to a poor, rural, growing population. The hospital lacks many basic medical services and is 420 km ( 252miles) from a tertiary medical center in Mwanza, Tz.
We believe medical progress cannot be made without medical infrastructure improvements. To supply 21st century healthcare requires reliable, affordable electrical energy. Currently Rulenge hospital gets electricity from Tanesco, a gov’t. run utility and also from the inefficient diesel powered hospital generator. By most estimates the hospital lacks electricity for more than 6 hours a day. Imagine attempting an emergency c-section operation in the middle of the night with no electric lighting or power. Providing reliable, affordable electricity will give patients at Rulenge Hospital an even chance that the rest of the world takes for granted.
There is more to this story that is very timely and appropriate. Solar powered electricity improves health care and saves lives. It also reduces cost at this or any poor underserved hospital. It can also be a zero carbon solution to climate change and to improving public and planetary health.
Each project we complete proves to local people that solar power is an achievable, reliable and an affordable alternative to the inefficient, carbon based utility grid that exists throughout Africa. We can help the developing world transition to a carbon free economy. And we can do it in equatorial Africa where the effects of climate change may prove to be the most severe.
Please read the attached, powerful letter from Sr. Dionesia MD, the medical director of Rulenge Hospital read the full post on our blog…
SCF PLANS TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH IN TANZANIA
SCF PLANS TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH IN TANZANIA
January 3, 2022
THE ISSUE: Breast Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in the world. Globally approximately 700,000 women will die from Breast Cancer in 2022. While there has been great progress in treatment in high income countries. Low and middle income countries lag behind because of lack of access to diagnosis and affordable treatments. While the 5 year survival rate for all breast cancer exceeds 80% in rich countries, the 5 year survival is approximately 15% in low income countries. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in Tanzania. Even worse, breast cancer rates in Tanzania are projected to increase by 80% in the next decade.
The Sandy Christman Foundation hopes to support a research group based in the US and in Tanzania to address this problem. Our hope is to make the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer more accessible and less expensive for women in rural, resource deprived Tanzania.
For more information follow this story on our blog…
NEW DIRECTION FOR THE SANDY CHRISTMAN FOUNDATION
NEW DIRECTION FOR THE SANDY CHRISTMAN FOUNDATION
November 23, 2021
Like everything, the situation in Biharamulo is changing. Covid continues to be a major health threat to sub Saharan Africa. At the same time, we now face the growing reality of climate change. Global climate change is a public health emergency. Without immediate change on a global scale climate change will continue to get unpredictably worse. Sadly, the most destructive climate changes occur in the low income countries, all of whom have had little or no contribution to its existence. Tanzania is one of those low income countries.
The SCF happens to be in a very good position to make things better, to promote health and prevent disease and to help slow the effects of climate change.
With three successful solar projects completed in and around BDDH we have the experience and local credibility to help poor countries like Tanzania advance to a carbon free future. Carbon neutrality is no longer acceptable. We need to be carbon free by 2050. COP 26 has shown us that on a global scale this is very unlikely to happen by 2050. Because it is unlikely to happen is the exact reason why we need to do more, act now and follow our mission to make things better.
I believe our biggest impact can be if we help Biharamulo skip the 19th century based carbon energy phase of its development. Diesel and oil and coal are still a strong temptation for developing countries because of their low startup costs. As poor developing countries make choices to fill their expanding energy needs we need to help them make solar energy become their first choice to power their growing infrastructure.
Expanding to solar power we can create clean, carbon free, reliable and affordable energy. Additionally, by doing so, we help a poor country do what rich countries are trying to do. Finally, by doing so, we can make things better over a wide spectrum, from effects on health care improvement all the way down to allowing young students to have electric lighting to do their homework at night. And every time we put up a new solar array it stands as an active advertisement and teaching moment to the people of western Tanzania. Each solar project we put up shows them that economic development and good health care go hand in hand and that progress doesn’t depend on carbon based energy.
We now have two solar projects in our sights for 2022-2023. With financial support from our donors we can make a difference. Please consider a donation and help us get to yes.
Need more information on this? Follow us on our blog.
SCF COMPLETES 3RD SOLAR PROJECT FOR BIHARAMULO DISTRICT
Site: St. Claire’s Secondary School for Girls, Biharamulo, Tz.
Date of Completion: Apr.6, 2021
Start of Construction: March 24, 2021
Cost: $14,905.00 USD
Pump Capacity: 17 cubic meters/day (minimum)
Water Stage Capacity: 1,500 Liters
Financed by: The Sandy Christman Foundation
ST. CLAIRE’S SECONDARY SCHOOL SOLAR PROJECT COMPLETED
On April 6th 2021 the St Claire’s Secondary School for Girls finally had running water thanks to a project funded by the Sandy Christman Foundation. It has been almost 3 years since the schools old solar powered water pump and batteries failed. Now this school for 300 girls and teaching staff has indoor running water for sinks, showers and toilets.
Working with our partners Power Providers Solar Energy Co. from Arusha, Tanzania this is now our 3rd successful project to bring carbon free, solar energy powered projects to needy organizations in rural western Tanzania.
The design highlight of this project is the stand–alone solar powered water pump system is battery free. This reduces the upfront cost of the system, saves on maintenance and future battery failure and is a good simple system for a rural area with limited access to technical support.
Scope of Work
The Power Providers solar engineering team designed, supplied and installed a stand-alone solar water pumping system at Biharamulo, for St. Claire’s Girls Secondary School. Data used for design purposes was collected from client, including a drilling report and pump test (sent on 25 January 2021). The project requirements were to meet daily water volumes of up to 10m3/day, lifting water from the borehole up to the main tanks. This was achieved by designing and installing a stand- alone submersible solar pump with a 395Wp array to reach volumes of 17m3/day in least sunny condition on an average month.
Making a Difference
The Sandy Christman Foundation (SCF) is an emerging philanthropy raising money through charitable contribution’s to support health-care and health care professionals with a particular interest in the Kagera region of northwestern Tanzania.
SCF was established in 2000 to raise awareness and promote the ideals of Sandy Christman, P.A.-C who died of breast cancer in 1999 at the age of 38. During her 12-year battle with cancer, Sandy made a difference in the lives of countless patients. She was and remains a true inspiration to the patients she treated and colleagues with whom she worked. Her perseverance, compassion, and pursuit of excellence embodied her remarkable passion for medicine and life.
Sandy Christman Foundation Projects
NOHA Breast Cancer Clinical Research Study
2022 – Ongoing
Biharamulo Hospital Solar Project Phase 1
2018 – 2019
Project Tanzania
2016
Project Tanzania
2015
Project Tanzania
2014
Project Tanzania
2009
Sandy Christman Lecture Series
2002 -2010
Sandy Christman Scholarship
2003 – 2009