Elo Mapelu

Cancer advocacy must go beyond speaking about patients. It must create space for patients to influence decisions. When we discuss improving cancer care across Africa, we often talk about policies, treatment availability, healthcare infrastructure and financing. These are important conversations. But there is another question we must keep asking: Are the people experiencing these challenges being meaningfully included in the decisions intended to address them? Patients and caregivers bring a perspective that cannot be fully captured by statistics, policy documents or institutional reports. They understand what it means to travel long distances for treatment, navigate financial barriers, experience delays in accessing care and live with the realities of a cancer diagnosis. Their experiences are not simply stories to be heard. They are valuable contributions to shaping better healthcare systems. This is why patient advocacy and meaningful patient participation must remain central to cancer policy and decision-making. As we approach the KESHO Africa Regional Advocacy Workshop in Mombasa, I look forward to conversations on strengthening patient voices, building meaningful partnerships and advancing advocacy that responds to the realities of the people we serve. Because better cancer care requires more than decisions made on behalf of patients. It requires decisions shaped with them. #PatientAdvocacy #HenzoKenya #CancerCare #HealthEquity #CancerAdvocacy #KESHO – at Nairobi, Kenya

Africa Regional Advocacy Workshop 2026 As we look forward to the upcoming KESHO Africa Regional Advocacy Workshop in Mombasa, made possible by the support of @AcuteLeuk and @cmlnet, I am reminded of why spaces like these are necessary. Across Africa, cancer patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and advocates continue to navigate significant challenges. These include: - Limited access to quality cancer care and treatment. - The need to decentralise cancer services. - Financial barriers that make accessing care difficult. - Gaps in policies and their implementation. - Stigma and limited community awareness. While these challenges may look different across countries, many of the underlying issues are shared. This is why bringing advocates and stakeholders together matters. Conferences and regional advocacy workshops create opportunities to exchange experiences, learn from what is working in different countries, identify gaps and build partnerships that can strengthen cancer care across the continent. But there is something equally important: What happens after the conference? ● Discussions must translate into practical commitments. ● Commitments must have clear priorities, responsible stakeholders and measurable progress. ● And the voices of patients and communities must remain central to the decisions being made. As we prepare for this gathering, I look forward to the conversations, the knowledge exchange and, most importantly, the opportunity to strengthen collective efforts towards more equitable access to cancer care in Africa. Because advocacy should not end when the conference ends. It should be reflected in the policies we influence, the systems we strengthen and the lives we help improve. #CancerAdvocacy #CancerCare #HealthEquity #KESHO #Africa

CANCER CARE SHOULD NOT BE A JOURNEY OF HUNDREDS OF KILOMETRES. Having cancer medicines available isn't enough. Patients must also be able to reach them. Many Kenyans travel from their counties to Nairobi for treatment, often setting off late at night to reach hospital early in the morning. On top of medical costs, they pay for transport, accommodation, meals and time off work. Satellite clinics and stronger regional facilities can bring services closer and improve continuity of care. This requires trained staff, reliable medicines, diagnostics, functional referrals, adequate infrastructure and sustainable funding So, what role does cancer advocacy play? 🔹️Advocacy calls for investment in cancer services beyond major urban centres. 🔹️It amplifies the experiences of patients who struggle to access treatment because of distance and cost. 🔹️It pushes policymakers, healthcare institutions and partners to prioritise accessible, quality care across counties. 🔹️It also holds systems accountable for ensuring that services are not only available, but reachable and affordable. A patient's access to cancer care should not be determined by their ability to afford repeated journeys to a distant treatment centre. Where you live should not determine whether you can access the care you need. Improving cancer care also means bringing services closer to patients. Because access is not just about having treatment available. It is about making sure people can actually reach it. Henzo Kenya | Sharing the love. #HenzoKenya #CancerAdvocacy #CancerCare #HealthEquity #Decentralisation #PatientAccess

More Than Medication: Navigating Youth, Life, and Leukaemia. Young, Living & Fighting. But what does living with blood cancer really look like for young people? Behind every treatment plan is a person navigating much more than medication. For young people living with leukaemia, treatment adherence can come with unique challenges. From managing the demands of long-term treatment and navigating school, work and relationships to dealing with emotional distress, stigma and the uncertainty that sometimes comes with the diagnosis. It is important that we talk about these realities. Because supporting someone living with blood cancer goes beyond providing access to treatment. It also means understanding their experiences, listening to their concerns and creating supportive environments where they can thrive. Today, Henzo Kenya, in collaboration with Faraja Cancer Support Trust, invites you to our Hybrid Blood Cancer Support Group Meeting. Our conversation will explore: Young, Living & Fighting: The Reality of Leukaemia Treatment Adherence in the Youth. We are pleased to have Serah Mararo, Nurse and Blood Cancer Advocate, as our host. The session will also feature Precious Maina, Psychologist, bringing attention to the psychosocial dimensions of living with blood cancer and the importance of emotional and social support throughout the treatment journey. 📅 Date: Tuesday, 10th November 2026 ⏰ Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM 📍 Venue: Nairobi Faraja Centre 💻 Format: Hybrid (physical and online) Whether you are a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, advocate or someone interested in learning more, we welcome you to be part of this conversation. Let's make room for conversations that go beyond the diagnosis and recognise the lives, dreams and realities of young people living with blood cancer. To join the video meeting, click this link: meet.google.com/rpt-efnc-yct or scan the QR code on the event poster. Together, we can strengthen support, improve understanding and remind young people that they are not alone. Henzo Kenya, you're not alone. @Faraja Cancer Support Trust @Serah Mararo @Precious Maina @Henzo Kenya #BloodCancerAwareness #Leukaemia #CancerSupport #TreatmentAdherence #YouthHealth #PsychosocialSupport #HenzoKenya

Cancer advocacy must be measured by more than the conversations we start. Awareness campaigns matter. Advocacy meetings matter. Partnerships matter. But how do we know that these efforts are making a difference? We must look at what is changing for patients. Are more people accessing essential cancer medicines? Are policies translating into better and more affordable care? Are partnerships helping bridge gaps in treatment and support? Are patients receiving timely referrals and accessing services closer to where they live? Are patients and caregivers receiving the support they need throughout their cancer journey? These are some of the questions that help us measure progress in cancer advocacy. And progress is not always one major policy announcement or a significant breakthrough. Sometimes, it looks like a patient getting to a treatment facility when they otherwise couldn't. It looks like improved access to essential medicines. It looks like a partnership that makes care more accessible. It looks like a patient's voice being heard in a decision that affects their treatment. But we must also be honest about the work that remains. Medicine availability, the cost of treatment, diagnostic delays, geographical barriers and gaps in patient support continue to demand attention. Celebrating progress should never mean overlooking the gaps that still exist. At Henzo Kenya, we believe that meaningful cancer advocacy requires us to: - Recognise and document achievements. - Listen to patients and caregivers. - Identify persistent barriers to care. - Strengthen partnerships. - Advocate for solutions that translate into better patient experiences. Because the ultimate measure of cancer advocacy is not simply how many conversations we have started. It is how much closer those conversations bring us to equitable, accessible and dignified cancer care. Progress must be visible. Impact must be measurable. And the work must continue. Henzo Kenya | You're not alone. #HenzoKenya #CancerAdvocacy #CancerCare #HealthEquity #PatientVoices – at Nairobi, Kenya

Cancer advocacy is about more than raising awareness. It’s about changing what patients experience. A cancer diagnosis can bring more than medical challenges. It can mean delayed diagnosis, the cost of treatment, limited access to care, misinformation, stigma, and the emotional weight carried by patients and their families. This is where advocacy matters. Cancer advocacy helps to: 🎗️ Amplify patient voices — ensuring that people living with cancer are heard and included in decisions that affect their care. 🎗️ Push for better access to care — advocating for affordable treatment, essential medicines, timely diagnosis, and services closer to communities. 🎗️ Influence policies and systems — calling for healthcare policies that respond to the real needs of patients and caregivers. 🎗️ Challenge stigma and misinformation — creating safer spaces for people to seek support, share their experiences, and access accurate information. 🎗️ Build community support — reminding patients and caregivers that they do not have to navigate cancer alone. Awareness helps people understand cancer. Advocacy helps change the conditions in which people experience it. Every patient deserves timely care, dignity, support, and the opportunity to be heard. At Henzo Kenya, we believe that the voices of patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and communities must remain part of the cancer conversation. Because cancer care is not only about treatment. It is also about access, equity, dignity, and hope. You’re not alone. #HenzoKenya #CancerAdvocacy #CancerCare #CancerAwareness #PatientVoices #HealthEquity #HenzoKenya #CancerAdvocacy #PatientVoices #HealthEquity #CancerCare

October was about more than awareness. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we brought attention to the realities of breast cancer care—from the importance of early detection and timely diagnosis to access to treatment, psychosocial support and the role of community. We were reminded that: 🎗️ Awareness must lead to action. 🎗️ Early detection matters, but access to timely diagnosis and treatment matters just as much. 🎗️ No one should have to navigate cancer care alone. 🎗️ Support must extend beyond the diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship and the uncertainties that may follow. And as we reflected on the progress being made in cancer care financing, one message remained clear: ● coverage must translate into accessible services for every patient. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we carry these conversations forward. Because breast cancer does not end when October ends. Neither should our commitment to those affected by it. Thank you to the patients, caregivers, healthcare workers, advocates and communities who continue to make this work meaningful. At Henzo Kenya, we remain committed to a future where cancer care is accessible, compassionate and centred on the people who need it. You are not alone. #HenzoKenya #BreastCancerAwareness #CancerCare #CancerAdvocacy #BeyondOctober

Not every delayed breast cancer diagnosis is a result of someone ignoring the signs. 🔹️Sometimes, the person noticed the change but was afraid of what it might mean. 🔹️Sometimes, they wanted to see a doctor but couldn’t afford the consultation, transport or tests. 🔹️Sometimes, the nearest facility was too far away. Or they visited a health facility but faced long waiting times, limited services or delays in getting answers. 🔹️And sometimes, stigma, misinformation, fear of surgery or the possibility of a cancer diagnosis made it difficult to take that first step. These barriers are different, but they can lead to the same outcome: delayed diagnosis. This is why breast cancer awareness must go beyond telling people to check their breasts. We must also address the psychological, financial, geographical and healthcare system barriers that prevent people from seeking timely care. At Henzo Kenya, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to seek assessment when they notice a change in their breasts. Know your normal. Pay attention to changes. Seek medical assessment when something is different. And as a society, let’s work towards making that next step possible. The World Health Organization’s goal is for more than 60% of invasive breast cancers to be diagnosed at Stage I or II. Achieving this requires more than awareness. It requires accessible services, timely diagnosis, affordable care and support. Because early detection is not just about knowing what to do. It’s also about making sure people can do it. 💗 What barriers do you think we need to address most urgently to make early breast cancer diagnosis possible for more people? #HenzoKenya #BreastCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #AccessToCare #HealthEquity – at Nairobi, Kenya

Over the weekend, people came together for Global Relay for Life Kenya 2026 to celebrate survivors, honour loved ones, remember those we've lost and stand together against cancer. It was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when people unite around a shared cause. But beyond the relay, the screenings, the stories and the moments of solidarity is a much bigger reality. Cancer care doesn't end when an event does. It continues in the need for early detection, access to treatment, support for caregivers, reliable information and communities where people feel less alone. At Henzo Kenya, we know that meaningful change requires more than awareness days. It requires sustained action, stronger support systems and a collective commitment to improving the lives of people affected by cancer. We're grateful to everyone who showed up, participated and helped make this movement possible. Now, let's carry that spirit beyond the weekend. @HENZOKENYA #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #RelayForLifeKenya #CancerAwareness #AccessToCare #TogetherAgainstCancer – at Nairobi, Kenya

CLL Horizons 2026 | Barcelona 🧡 Powerful panel today on Global CLL Science Today: What Innovation Looks Like in High-, Middle-, and Low-Resource Settings. Experts and advocates from around the world — including voices from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East — came together to discuss one critical reality: the science is advancing rapidly, but access is still not equal. Innovation only matters if it reaches every patient, regardless of where they live. Strength in Science. Power in Community. This is what real progress looks like. #CLLHZ26 #CLLHorizons2026 #CLLAN #CLL #AccessToCare #PatientAdvocacy #HealthEquity @HENZOKENYA @MwakichakoBecky – at Nairobi, Kenya

Telling patients stories, and combining efforts in advocacy, helps make MPN care a bit more accessible! Such efforts need to be augmented and supported, to ensure patients in LMICs have a fair shot at life! #MPNHZ26 @HENZOKENYA @kenconetwork @CCan_org @NCIKenya @CancerProgramKE – at Nairobi, Kenya

#MPNHZ26 Australia, Asia & Africa break out session. Discussing collaboration, challenges and fundraising. @HENZOKENYA – at Nairobi, Kenya

Thrilled to follow updates from the 11th MPN Horizons Conference (#MPNHZ26) in Paris! 🇫🇷 @HENZOKENYA – at Nairobi, Kenya