2025 October – December Newsletter

1stStrengthening Partnerships for Childhood Cancer Care

We began the month on a positive and promising note with a successful engagement meeting with the team from Songwe Regional Referral Hospital. The discussion focused on strengthening collaboration in childhood cancer care and exploring opportunities for shared learning and support. Their willingness to be part of this collective effort marks an important step toward expanding access to quality childhood cancer services beyond major urban centers. Partnerships like these are critical to ensuring that children across Tanzania regardless of where they live; can access timely, coordinated, and compassionate cancer care.

2nd Kidz  Kollege Kibubu Collection

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Kidz Kollege for their remarkable support and commitment to children facing cancer in Tanzania. During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the school community actively took part in our Kibubu Campaign, demonstrating that meaningful change is possible when compassion is put into action.

Through the collective efforts of students, teachers, and parents, Kidz Kollege raised over TZS 4 million; an inspiring achievement that reflects the true spirit of giving.

3rd Stepping Stones School Champions Kibubu

Stepping Stones School demonstrated outstanding generosity by raising TZS 13.6 million in support of children undergoing cancer treatment. The school also hosted a vibrant carnival event, creating a joyful space where children from TLM could take part in games, activity stalls, and celebrations. We are deeply grateful to the students, teachers, and families of Stepping Stones School for their enthusiasm, generosity, and for helping spread hope to children across Tanzania.

6th UWC Students Volunteers

We extend our sincere thanks to the incredible students from UWC who spent the first week of October volunteering with us. Throughout their visit, the students actively engaged in various aspects of our programs, offering both practical support and heartfelt companionship.

They worked alongside our kitchen team to prepare nutritious smoothies for children undergoing treatment, participated in play therapy sessions that filled the hostel with laughter and joy, and supported learning activities in the classroom to help young patients continue their education during extended hospital stays.

At TLM, we believe that healing goes beyond medicine; it includes nourishment, learning, and play.

8th Artist in Residence winner

We congratulate Mustafa Abbas, winner of the Artist in Residence program at Killruddery House and Gardens, in recognition of his powerful works Paper Boat and Paper Plane. In these pieces, Mustafa creatively incorporated real chemotherapy boxes, transforming them into striking works of art that tell a deeper story of resilience and hope.

This well-deserved achievement celebrates his exceptional talent and dedication. We look forward to seeing the inspiration and creativity that will emerge from his residency experience.

10th IST  Elementary Students Take on Terry Fox Run

The students of IST Elementary participated in the Terry Fox Run, running with determination and big hearts to raise funds and hope for children fighting cancer in Tanzania. Inspired by Terry Fox’s legacy, these young changemakers proved that even small steps can create a big impact and raised an incredible USD 20,000 surpassing expectations by an astounding tenfold.

This outstanding achievement reflects the passion, unity, and generosity of the entire IST community. The funds raised will go a long way in supporting life-saving cancer care for children in Tanzania, helping ensure access to essential treatment and services.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the students, parents, teachers, and the wider IST community for standing with children battling cancer and for turning compassion into meaningful action.

19th ACT for Children Partner Meeting

TLM was represented by Dr. Trish at the ACT for Children Partner Meeting held in Amsterdam, which brought together global partners committed to improving access to treatment and outcomes for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration, sharing progress across partner sites, and aligning efforts to deliver sustainable, high-quality paediatric oncology care. Participation in this forum supports Tumaini La Maisha’s ongoing work in Tanzania by reinforcing partnerships, sharing best practice, and ensuring national childhood cancer efforts remain connected to global initiatives and collective action

19th-23rd SIOP 2025 in Amsterdam

Dr. Trish represented Tumaini La Maisha at the SIOP 2025 Congressin Amsterdam, a leading global forum on childhood cancer. The congress focused on equity, early diagnosis, supportive care, and strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries, aligned with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Insights gained will inform TLM’s advocacy, donor communications, and programme alignment with international best practice, helping strengthen paediatric oncology services in Tanzania.

22nd MCM Taskforce Meeting Amsterdam

Dr. Trish attended the My Child Matters Taskforce Meeting, where partners reviewed progress across funded initiatives and discussed priorities for strengthening childhood cancer services, including data-driven decision-making and sustainability.

Dr. Trish also met in person with Isabelle from My Child Matters to discuss the conclusion of the CleverCharts grant. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on key achievements, lessons learned and the impact of improved data systems in supporting paediatric oncology care. These discussions will inform future planning and reinforce TLM’s commitment to evidence-based programmes and strong partnerships.

23rd Trish Meets Niels in Amsterdam

Dr. Trish met with Niels, Make-A-Wish Regional Director for Affiliate Development and Support (Southern Europe and Africa), in Amsterdam.

Their discussions focused on strengthening territorial support, sharing best practices and enhancing the delivery of wishes for children in Tanzania. This engagement marks an important step forward in building and growing Make-A-Wish Tanzania, ensuring that more children can experience the power of a wish.

28th Benjamin William Mkapa Students Bring Smiles

We were delighted to welcome students from Benjamin William Mkapa Secondary School. During their visit, they spent time with the children and generously donated washing detergents, toiletries, diapers, and nutritional ingredients.

Their kindness and thoughtfulness brought smiles to our young patients and reminded us all that compassion knows no age. Thank you, Benjamin Mkapa students, for showing how together we can make a difference.

30th Advancing Paediatric Resuscitation Across East Africa

This October, The PAIRS. Group mission advanced sustainable paediatric resuscitation training through a bespoke Train-the-Trainer programme at Muhimbili National Hospital. A total of 139 healthcare workers trained and 21 new trainers empowered across Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Zambia.

Led by Tanzanian faculty with Irish mentorship, this initiative marks an important step toward local autonomy in life-saving healthcare skills.

We extend our gratitude to the volunteer teams, community fundraisers, the CHI Global Health GAP Fund, and the Emirates Airline Foundation for making this mission possible.

10th Ivan’s Remarkable Achievement

Against all odds, Ivan has achieved an incredible milestone! Despite the health challenges he has faced, he earned straight A’s in his Grade Seven National Exams; a testament to his resilience, hard work, and determination.

Ivan’s achievement is more than just academic success; it is a powerful reminder that courage, perseverance, and hope can overcome even the toughest obstacles. We celebrate his success and look forward to seeing the bright future that lies ahead for him.

16th Tamal Children’s Day Community Event

TLM invited as special guests and donor recepients beautiful evening of cultural exchange, music and dance. And a huge Tsh 37.5 million was raised and donated to TLM. We are so very grateful.

17th Our Deepest Condolences

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Delilah Kimambo, Director of our partner hospital, the Muhimbili National Hospital, on the passing of her beloved husband.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her and the entire MNH family during this difficult time. May she find strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead.

19th In Memoriam: Romuald Amedius Mongella

It is with heartfelt sympathy that we reflect on the life of Romuald Amedius Mongella, father of our Board Chair, Dr. Gerald Mongella.

We extend our deepest condolences to the  Mongella family and honor his memory. May his soul rest in eternal peace

20th Life Saving Support from BAPS Charities Tanzania

Thanks to the incredible generosity of BAPS Charities Tanzania, 58 children received life-saving diagnostic procedures, including scans, surgeries, and blood tests.

The donation also enabled the purchase of essential chemotherapy drugs, supporting these children through their treatment journey.

We are deeply grateful to BAPS Charities for their unwavering support. Your contribution is giving children the chance to heal, recover, and embrace hope once again.

20th Strengthening Partnerships for Childhood Cancer Care in Zanzibar

Dr. Trish Scanlan visited Zanzibar to advance collaboration in childhood cancer services. During her trip, she met with Dr. Fathiyya and the Medical Director of Al Rahma Hospital, exploring ways to strengthen joint efforts in providing care.

Dr. Scanlan also had the honor of meeting Dr. Amor, Director General of the Ministry of Health, further reinforcing our commitment to building strong, national partnerships.

Through these continued collaborations, we are working together to bring hope, access, and life-saving treatment to children across Tanzania.

24th The Apton School Supports Children with Cancer

We are thrilled to share that The Apton School raised an impressive TZS 13.2 million as part of the 2025 Kibubu campaign! This remarkable achievement reflects the school community’s dedication, compassion, and commitment to making a difference.

All funds raised go directly towards providing life-saving care for children with cancer in Tanzania, supporting treatments that give these young patients a chance to heal and hope again.

We sincerely thank the students, teachers, and parents for exemplifying what a compassionate and united community can accomplish. Your efforts are truly changing lives and inspiring hope across Tanzania.

24th Expanding Our Reach

We are delighted to welcome Southern Zonal Referral Hospital in Mtwara and Songwe Regional Referral Hospital to our network of partner hospitals.

These new collaborations bring our total to 22 partner hospitals across Tanzania, further strengthening access to essential childhood cancer services nationwide.

Through these partnerships, we continue to work towards a future where every child in Tanzania has the care and support, they need to fight cancer.

29th Love, Hope & Strength Campaign

Peter Vollmer our wonderful long-term paediatric oncology pharmacist partner visited MNH and we had several in depth discussions regarding future plans for training and clinical strengthening for oncology pharmacy across Tanzania.

26th Joyce is here!

Joyce is here and she will be volunteering her time to support our children and families. During her stay, she is leading play therapy sessions, as well as engaging children and parents through dance and yoga. Her presence brings joy, movement, and a sense of wellbeing to the ward, supporting both the emotional and physical health of those in our care.

27th Guest Talk with UCD Medical Students

Dr. Trish was invited by University College Dublin (UCD) medical students to speak about Tumaini La Maisha’s work and impact in Tanzania. The session highlighted the realities of childhood cancer care, the importance of early diagnosis and supportive services and the role of partnerships in strengthening paediatric oncology systems. The discussion also provided an opportunity to inspire future health professionals and raise awareness of global health equity and the transformative impact of sustained, locally led cancer care initiatives.

1st Bid for Life 2025

Our annual art auction ran From 1st to 22nd December, featuring over 180 art pieces where every bid directly contributed to providing life-saving treatment for children battling cancer in Tanzania.

Thanks to the generosity of our friends, supporters and bidders, we raised $6000!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took part in this campaign, and a very big thank you to the Tanzanian artists and our friends from CIFD for donating such beautiful and amazing pieces.

2nd Chemo Cart Drive

On treatment days, our nurses reach fro the Chemo Cart; a vital resource filled with medications, syringes, IV sets and comfort items that help ensure children receive safe, timely and compassionate cancer care. On Giving Tuesday, generous supporters came together and made donations to enable us to restock our Chemo carts and support children throughout their treatment journey.

Donations were directed towards essential supplies such as syringes, safety and protection items, laboratory reagents and chemo drug support.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave; your kindness is felt in every treatment, every smile and every life touched.

5th Board Engagement

Mr. Msuri, our Board Member, paid a visit to our team. We were grateful for the opportunity to share updates on our ongoing projects and to engage in meaningful discussions about our work.

During his visit, Mr. Msuri spent time meeting with the team and offered valuable insights that continue to guide and strengthen our efforts.

Together, we remain committed to advancing and strengthening childhood cancer services across Tanzania, ensuring better care and brighter futures for the children we serve.

8th Christmas Gifts of Hope

This Christmas, we set out to bring joy, comfort, and hope to children receiving treatment. Through our Gifts of Hope initiative, friends and supporters contribute towards meaningful packages that directly supported a child’s care and wellbeing.

The gifts were available in various packages, allowing supporters to give in ways that mattered most during the festive season. With generous support, we received Tzs 3,475,000 helping us spread festive cheer and, most importantly, put big smiles on the faces of our little patients.

A big thank you to everyone for bringing Christmas cheer and creating unforgettable moments for the children and families we serve.

10th Slipway Hotel Spreads Holiday Cheer

During the holiday season, Slipway Hotel showed incredible generosity by setting up a Christmas tree where their guests could drop off gifts for the children. Through this thoughtful initiative, we received an overwhelming number of gifts that brought joy, comfort, and smiles to children spending the festive season in treatment. Each gift was a reminder that they are seen, loved, and supported by a caring community.

We extend our sincere thanks to Slipway Hotel for making this initiative possible, and most importantly, to every guest and supporter who contributed. Your kindness made a meaningful difference and helped turn the holiday season into a moment of hope and happiness for our children.

11th TLM Visit From FK International Schools

TWe were delighted to welcome students from FK International School, who visited us bearing generous donations collected during the school’s Charity Day. The contributions included clothing and nutritional ingredients. This thoughtful gesture reflects the strong values of compassion and community upheld by the FK International School.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents, students, teachers, and the entire FK School community for their kindness and continued support. Your generosity is making a tangible difference in the lives of the children we serve.

18th Strengthening Diagnostics Through International Collaboration

Dr. Trish visited our long-standing partners at the HPLC Laboratory in Ireland, a key collaborator in the analysis of children’s medical samples. This partnership plays a critical role in ensuring accurate diagnoses and informed treatment decisions for children receiving cancer care. The laboratory’s work allows for precise analysis of samples, supporting clinicians with reliable results that directly influence treatment plans. In childhood cancer care, accuracy is essential and timely and correct diagnoses can significantly improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary delays in treatment.

19th Equity Bank Supports TLM

We were deeply touched by a from Equity Bank, during which they generously donated food supplies and cash with a total value of TZS 3 million. This meaningful contribution directly supports the care and wellbeing of children currently battling cancer.

The donation will help meet essential needs, ensuring that children and their families receive nourishment and support as they undergo treatment. The visit itself was a powerful show of solidarity and compassion for our young patients and their caregivers.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Equity Bank for standing with our children and for being part of a community that brings hope, care, and encouragement during a challenging journey.

20th Celebrating 100 Wishes

We are ecstatic to share that we granted our 100^th wish, since the inception of Make-A-Wish Tanzania. That special wish belonged to Tumu, and like many of the most powerful wishes, it was simple and deeply heartfelt. Tumu wished for a school bag with wheels, because in January, after a long and difficult journey, she was finally returning to school.

For the very first time, Tumu visited Mlimani City Mall, where she had the opportunity to choose her own school bag. In that moment, uncertainty and fear gave way to excitement, confidence, and a renewed sense of possibility. Reaching 100 wishes granted marked, 100 moments of joy, 100 reminders of strength and courage and 100 instances where hope transformed a child’s journey. Today, we are proud to share that the impact has continued to grow, with a total of 116 wishes granted to date. As we dive into 2026, we remain committed to creating many more moments like Tumu’s; moments that remind us all that hope has the power to change everything.

Festive Greetings

Because of you, there was hope, care and many smiles this year! From all of us at TLM, Merry Christmas & a happy new year 2026!!