It is with sadness and gratitude that I share news of the passing of Helmut Diefenthal, MD, a board member of the Foundation for Cancer Care in Tanzania (FCCT).  

Dr. Diefenthal was an inspiration to many, working tirelessly throughout his life to bring medical care to those in need. As a medical missionary, he treated patients in Malaysia and Tanzania, always with his wife Ro at his side. When Helmut finished a residency in radiology, he returned to Tanzania but within two years left for the US where he desired his children to be educated.

In anticipation of retiring and going back to Tanzania, Dr. Diefenthal founded a non-profit organization, the East Africa Medical Assistance Foundation (EAMAF) to support and expand radiological services at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC). 

In 1993, he established the Kilimanjaro School of Radiology and later started a radiology residency program for physicians. From his work in imaging, Dr. Diefenthal began diagnosing cancer, however, treatment was not readily available. 

In 2013, FCCT spun off from EAMAF to support the development of cancer care at KCMC. In the summer of 2014, at the age of 90, Helmut and Ro retired to their home in the US.

FCCT board member and director Michael Nelson, MD, knew Helmut well, first as his student at the University of Minnesota then as a partner in the radiology residency program Helmut founded at KCMC. I’ve asked Dr. Nelson to share his thoughts on being involved with FCCT and what drives his commitment to the organization.

Hazel  
Hazel Reinhardt
President and CEO, Foundation for Cancer Care in Tanzania

Michael T. Nelson, MD, FACR, of Minnetonka, Minn., has spent his 25-year career training assistant medical officers (AMOs) and radiology residents in Tanzania.

He knows the route well. He’s been to Tanzania and back more than 30 times.

It’s a long flight, the travel is rigorous but he is determined to return as this journey to train radiology residents has yielded hope and saved lives for the people of east Africa.

Nelson was the recipient of the 2018 American College of Radiology Foundation’s Global Humanitarian Award for his efforts to improve radiological care in Tanzania.

He thoughtfully reflects on his professional and personal dedication in an article entitled Training that Transcends.

Recounting his success stories for the article, it’s evident the radiology residency and training programs are a labor of love for Nelson.

    

Introducing new clinical collaborations means improving access to advanced radiological services in Tanzania. Interventional and diagnostic radiologists will soon be working together at KCMC, creating opportunities to explore screening and identification of breast or liver cancers, something that was previously not possible.

With new resources available at KCMC and radiologists from the University of Minnesota trained to do treatment, hope and survival rates are on the rise.

While many incredible advances have been made there are critical next steps to continue the transformation of health care in Tanzania.

Nelson references the need for additional oncologists — particularly pediatric oncologists, he adds the future of health care at KCMC should include radiation therapy as well.

Reflecting on his teaching and training experiences, Nelson responds humbly of his more than three decades of service in Tanzania, “I always return from Tanzania with more knowledge than I shared.”

    

Visit the FCCT website to see the progress being made and learn how your support can save lives, ease suffering and transform cancer outcomes for the people in northern Tanzania.