Tanzania: Feliciana Mshanga Memorial Cancer Foundation (FMMCF)

Legal Status & Location:
Registered nonprofit organization under the laws of Tanzania
Registration No: 00NGO/R/9012
Headquarters: Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

 

Organizational Profile:

The Feliciana Mshanga Memorial Cancer Foundation is a patient-centered nonprofit organization working to improve cancer prevention, early detection, patient support, awareness, and advocacy in Tanzania. FMMCF addresses barriers such as long travel distances, financial hardship, limited access to specialized services, and lack of psychosocial support. It is founded in memory of Mama Feliciana Mshanga, who passed away after a long battle with cancer. During her treatment journey, she witnessed the stigma, delayed diagnosis, financial hardship, long travel distances, and lack of holistic support faced by cancer patients in Tanzania—challenges that are particularly pronounced for patients with rare cancers such as sarcoma.

Key initiatives include Safari ya Tumaini (Journey of Hope)—a holistic patient-support program providing care navigation, medical and nutritional support, patient kits, transport assistance, accommodation, psychosocial counseling, and community follow-up—and the Golden Hope Childhood Cancer Campaign, which mobilizes stakeholders to strengthen pediatric cancer care, support survivors, raise national awareness, and build sustainable networks for childhood cancer care. FMMCF also actively works to increase awareness on cancer challenges at community and national levels.

 

Mission:
Empowering communities with knowledge, resources, and support to prevent, detect, and combat cancer, while advancing research, innovation, and integrated care solutions.

 

Vision:
A Tanzania where cancer is no longer life-threatening, ensuring every individual has access to the best possible care, support, and opportunities for a healthy life—prioritizing humanity, dignity, and access for all.

 

Key Areas of Work:

• Community awareness, prevention, early detection, and vaccination
• Patient support, treatment navigation, and psychosocial care
• Survivorship support, economic empowerment, and education
• Research, data coordination, and policy engagement
• Advocacy and multi-stakeholder collaboration at national and global levels