Jacob Mulenga: Footballer, Cancer Activist And Donor

Jacob Mulenga

By Paul Shalala

He is generally known for his scoring exploits in the Chipolopolo outfit, the popular name for the Zambia national soccer team.

When the name Jacob Mulenga comes up, its football that comes to mind.

The 31 year old striker has in his decade long career played for a number of clubs in Zambia, F.C. Strasbourg and Chateauroux in France, Adana Demirspor in Turkey, Utrecht F.C. in The Netherlands and is currently playing for Shijiazhuang Ever Bright F.C. in China.

At the national level, Jacob has 42 caps and scored nine goals for Chipolopolo.

Well, that is only one side of Jacob.

But it is time to meet Jacob the humanitarian.

Unknown to many Jacob Mulenga, our soccer export to China, is a compassionate star whose heart has gone out to fight cancer.

In short he is a cancer activist and donor.

For years, this prolific striker has been making monthly contributions to the Cancer Support Network of Zambia (CSNZ).

These contributions have helped the organisation reach out to the most needy in society.

Part of the money he has donated has been used to refurbish a ward which has been adopted by the Cancer Support Network at the Kitwe Central Hospital.

"Jacob has been a great contributor to the fight against cancer in Zambia. He has been helping us financially here in Kitwe where he hails from," said Bishop Bolden Chihana, CSNZ Finance Director.

This gesture has not gone unnoticed.

As a son of the city of Kitwe, Jacob is perhaps giving back to the town that first received him.

Jacob celebrating after scoring for Zambia

"As government we really appreciate the role Jacob is playing. We realise that Zambia has produced many footballers who are playing abroad. But as Kitwe, we are proud of Jacob who has made an impact in the fight against cancer here," said Mwape Kasanda, Kitwe District Administrative Officer.

About K20, 000 donated by Jacob and other donors was spent to buy beds, bed sheets, flat screen TVs and several other assorted items which are now in a ward at the Kitwe Central Hospital which has since been adopted by CSNZ.

In the next few months, the Cancer Support Network with the help of its donors, is expected to adopt two more wards at the hospital.

This adoption will also add to the many other projects the organisation wants to embark on such as building a cancer hospital at Baluba area in Luanshya and conducting sensitisations on cancer in various communities across the Copperbelt.

Zambia Needs 150,000 Units Of Donated Blood Per Year

By Paul Shalala

Dr. Joseph Mulenga (right)

The Zambia National Blood Transmission Service (ZNBTS) says it needs 150, 000 units of blood per year to sufficiently cater for Zambia’s growing blood needs.

ZNBTS Director  Dr. Joseph Mulenga says the country only manages to donate 100, 000 units of blood with a deficit of f50, 000 units.

Dr Mulenga says there is need for more Zambians to come forward and donate blood which can save more lives in hospitals.

"Blood saves thousands of people. But we need to donate more so that we can save more women and children who need life," said Dr Mulenga during the rescheduled 2015 World Blood Donor Day which was held in Kitwe today under the theme: Thank You For Saving My Life.

He also dispelled assertions that donated blood is used for satanism.

"Many people accuse us of satanism. They say we collect blood for satanism. Ok here iam, am the chief satanism if you like. But our job is purely to save lives, nothing like satanism," he added, amid laughter from the audience.

And Kitwe District Commissioner Chanda Kabwe says donating blood is a national duty which citizens must be happy of.

Inside a blood bank

Mr Kabwe, who officiated at the event held at Lechwe School, says Zambians must take keen interest in blood donation because the activity saves thousands of mothers and children.

"Zambia is a christian nation, we should uphold life. Lets give blood and save more lives. By giving, we are showing love to one another.

Meanwhile, a recipient of donated blood recounted how she almost died due to lack of blood in her body.

"I was in labour and i was at the point of dying. But because of donated blood, my life was saved. So lets keep giving blood," said Sibo Mwala. 

A number of committed blood donors were honoured by the ZNBTS during the event.
Prominent among them was Akolwa Lishomwa who holds the record for the highest blood donor on the Copperbelt.

The 23 years old has donated blood 56 times over the past 16 years.

Among pupils, who are the largest donors to Zambia’s Blood Bank, Jane Manjabila of Chifubu Secondary school in Ndola was honoured for the highest blood donor among pupils on the Copperbelt.

Jane has donated 10 times.

The Blood Bank at the Kitwe Central Hospital is the reservoir for donated blood for the whole of the Copperbelt Province.

Donated blood

About 30,000 units of blood are donated by Copperbelt residents making this region the second largest blood donating region in Zambia after Lusaka Province.

Of all the blood donated in Zambia, 40% is used by children under the age of 5, another 40% is used by people with different health complications while the remaining 20% is used by pregnant women.