The U.S. based National Cancer Coalition
(NCC), through the Embassy of the United States in Montevideo,
launched an aid program consisting of a series of donations
of cancer medication for needy patients in Uruguayan public
hospitals. The first installment was received in July by
the Ministry of Public Health (Ministerio de Salud Pública
- MSP). It consisted of 500 ampules of Ifosfamide (1 gr)
and 500 ampules of Mesna (1 gr), valued at over 120,000.00
dollars.
A second donation consisting of 104,400
tablets in 10 mg. form, and 70,080 tablets in 20 mg. form
of Tamoxifen, was just received by the MSP for distribution
to public hospitals. This medication is used to treat breast
cancer, and reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at
high risk for the disease. Tamoxifen is in a class of drugs
known as antiestrogens; it blocks the activity of estrogen,
a female hormone produced by the body in the breast. The
value of this donation amounts to 460,588.00 dollars.
The NCC is a non-profit organization. Its
main objective is to help reduce the suffering of cancer
patients and their families through assistance and awareness.
Their international aid program is specifically aimed at
donating high quality cytostatic drugs, medical equipment
and supplies.
