The Dr Robert Mitchell Memorial Foundation (RMMF) on Friday launched a childhood cancer fund to provide quality health care to childhood cancer patients.

The Fund is also to provide financial assistance for the treatment to patients and support the needs of their families.

Mrs Emma Mitchell, Founder and President of the Foundation, speaking at a fundraising dinner and the launch of the Fund, said though most childhood cancers could be prevented and treated, the disease was affecting an estimated over 1000 children aged less than 15 years annually.

She said the Foundation together with its partners, the School of Medical Science of the Cape Coast University and management of the Central Regional Hospital, would build a childhood cancer treatment centre.

“The Fund will encourage early detection, take care of the treatment of children with cancer, initiate research into plant medicine and help promote care and compassion,” she added.

Childhood Cancer occurs at an early age suggesting causative factors which operates before birth.

Health experts say less than five per cent of childhood cancers could be attributed directly to genetic factors, leading to increased risk of cancers in Down syndrome.

She explained that the Fund would also help create awareness amongst the general public about the disease.

“To provide grants to trained doctors, nurses and other health professionals in Paediatric Oncology to undertake research into plant medicine for the cure of cancer,” she added.

The goals of the Foundation include mobilising and encouraging child health professionals both in and outside Ghana, to volunteer their services in medical facilities and needed communities.

Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, former member of the Council of State, appealed to corporate institutions to support the growth of the Fund to save the lives to childhood cancer patients.

He said the monies realised would be reinvested into profitable ventures to support the treatment.

“Sustainability of the fund depends on the contribution of the benevolence of the general public,” he added.

RMMF is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-partisan and non-sectarian organisation established to help as many children as possible, placing special emphasis on children with cancer, gain access to affordable and quality health care.**