VICTOiR’s mission is to fight childhood cancers in Togo
- As a priority, by making a major contribution to the day to day running of the Paediatric Oncology Unit within the Lomé Hospital (nurses, psychologist, buildings, drugs, etc)
- More generally, by trying to take charge of the complementary aspects of this struggle with preventive actions, social assistance, child education, etc.
The role of VICTOiR is to ensure :
A contribution to treatment
We provide the missing resources in the Oncology Unit, both human and material. We employ 4 nurses and a psychologist, and contribute to their ongoing training. We provide a large part of the necessary equipment, some of which is very specialised. We pay for complimentary drugs to chemotherapy treatment, tests, outside healthcare structures, transfusions and surgery costs.
Support in the field is very heavy. The cost of a chemotherapy course is very high. As a result, parents are usually unable to raise the money for treatment. As these types of tumours evolve very quickly, death occurs within a few months in terrible conditions, if the child is not treated very quickly.
In addition, most treatments require numerous sessions of chemotherapy, which lead to serious secondary complications: hair loss, immunodeficiency, secondary infections, fever, vomiting and anaemia. In turn, many drugs are needed to treat these, as well as blood transfusions and food supplements to counter adverse effects and support patients following chemotherapy.
As the treatment is spread over several months, this also demands a great sacrifice on the part of the family, as a member of the family, usually the mother will have to stay with their child throughout the hospital stay. This often means being very far from their village, and therefore losing their jobs and meagre incomes.
A significant contribution to the human resources of the Pediatric Oncology Unit
Financial support for the salaries of the personnel hired by VICTOiR, namely four nurses and a psychologist.
Monitoring of children in remission
VICTOiR ensures post-therapeutic follow-up of children in remission through check-ups every 3 to 6 months, because there is a risk of relapse in the first 2 years. During this period, close monitoring is necessary in order to stop and treat any relapse as soon as possible. This requires regular ultrasounds, X-rays and blood tests, plus the transportation of these children to and from Lomé (they can live several hundred kilometers from the capital).
The costs of these exams and journeys are covered by the Charity.
VICTOiR helps to collect epidemiological data and raise awareness of childhood cancers
To carry out these missions, VICTOiR must ensure :
A permanent search for grants and funds
a significant and sustained fundraising effort is necessary to enable us to carry out all of our missions.
The source of our funds is made up of three kinds :
- Memberships and donations from individuals or companies which allow for a tax deduction.
- Subsidies granted by public or private organizations and certain Foundations.
- Donations/sponsorships thanks to actions carried out by VICTOiR and friendly groups, schools and clubs (plays, concerts, races, etc)
All the proceeds collected, thanks to our donors and members, are entirely devoted to the care of children.
The establishment of lasting partnerships
with reliable partners likely to contribute regularly to its action : the Direction of Lomé University Hospital and the Franco African Group of Paediatric Oncology (GFAOP) are our essential and regular partners. A partnership agreement formalized our relationships in 2016.
In addition, an authorisation has been granted to us by the Toulouse University Hospital, in France, which allows us to benefit from revised and very operational equipment to complete and add to the necessary equipment in the Unit.
Communication work in Togo and France
In Togo, VICTOiR ensures communication stays open and regular, and provides and spreads information, develops prevention of childhood cancer and raises the profile of the Paediatric Oncology unit.
In France, we are trying to expand our network of members and support using conventional means of communication and the latest technology. A newsletter is sent to all our supporters and contacts 3 to 4 times a year.