Partnering to help children in Tanzania to survive cancer
18th December 2019: A donation from leading temperature control packaging company Softbox Systems has enabled the charity International Health Partners (IHP) to deliver cold-chain oncology medicines, giving children in Tanzania the chance to recover from cancer.
The recent donation of a temperature control pallet shipper enabled IHP to send cytotoxic (chemotherapy) medicines to TLM, its aid partner in Dar es Salaam. These were used to treat Kanoni, a two-year-old patient, who is now free of cancer.
Last December, Kanoni was admitted to hospital with a huge abdominal mass and severe pain. A CT scan and tests revealed that she had a kidney tumour. “When the lab investigated, it found her cancer was high-risk, and she needed medicine that could only be transported through cold-chain packaging,” explained Colleen Harrisson-Dodds, Logistics Director for IHP.
Previously, IHP and Softbox Systems have collaborated to send more than 2,000 treatments to Tanzania. Softbox donated its award-winning Silverpod pallet shipper, which enables the shipment of bulk consignments of goods, and can maintain product temperature stability for up to 120 hours.
Kanoni completed her treatment last month, and scans show the cancer has gone. “We’ve seen a remarkable improvement in her condition,” said Lilian Nydyetabula, the chief operating officer of TLM, which helped establish Tanzania’s first paediatric oncology service. “She gained weight and was able to move around and play with other children. Now, Kanoni is a totally different child from the one who arrived last December.”
Softbox Systems is a market leader that has won acclaim for its emphasis on high performance, sustainable and user-friendly packaging solutions. “It’s a pleasure to support IHP and rewarding to know that our packaging systems enabled the safe transportation of Kanoni’s life-saving treatment,” said Clive Bryant, Global Product and Marketing Director at Softbox Systems. “Our award-winning Silverpod range means that temperature-sensitive medicines arrive in perfect condition and ultimately save lives. We’re always looking for ways to enhance our products to facilitate the successful delivery of life-saving medicines all around the world.”
IHP is a leading coordinator of donated essential medicines, working with healthcare companies, logistics providers and aid agencies. Adele Paterson, CEO, said: “This is a wonderful example of the way we partner proactively. We’re delighted to work with Softbox Systems to enable the delivery of high-quality medicines to vulnerable people.”
During the Big Give Christmas Campaign, IHP will double all online donations. To give, please visit: https://bit.ly/doubleihp
