NASCAR champion to visit

Jeff Gordon, founder of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation (JGCF), and NASCAR Champion, is expected to visit Rwanda for four days this month. No specific date of Gordon’s arrival has been announced yet. Gordon’s charitable foundation donated US$1.5 million for the establishment of a Cancer centre of Excellence at Butaro Hospital, Burera District through Partners In Health (PIH),. A PIH statement states that the visit was intended to evaluate the foundation’s contribution in the Rwanda National Strategy for Cancer Treatment and Prevention. “The JGCF, which is dedicated to providing financial and advocacy support for children facing adversity, particularly cancer, recently partnered with PIH/IMB to support its work in paediatric cancer treatment at Butaro Hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. This is the JGFC’s first international donation and project,” reads the statement. Butaro hospital is a 150-bed facility that was built as part of the ongoing collaboration between PIH and the government. The facility features an innovative design intended to harmonize with the local environment and reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections. PIH and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute are currently working together to develop a comprehensive cancer programme in the country. Following a successful establishment of a Cancer Centre of Excellence at Butaro hospital, Jeff Gordon’s charitable foundation will help with prevention, diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and follow-up care for the children. Gordon is NASCAR four-time Cup series champion; he formed his foundation in 1999 to support children fighting cancer. He was recently named the 2011 NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year and is a three time recipient of the same award. edwin.musoni@newtimes.co.rw