Hiboombe Haamankuli, DNP, MSN, ACNP-BC, is an experienced acute care nurse practitioner and instructor with the UAB School of Nursing, specializing in adult gerontology and a passionate advocate for increasing research and awareness for prostate cancer. Haamankuli is currently working with the UAB Department of Urology and O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center on a fundraising campaign in honor of his father who is now cancer–free thanks to early detection and intervention methods. In unison with the campaign, Haamankuli is training to complete two endurance races by the end of the year in order to raise awareness, promote education and fundraise for prostate cancer research.

As the oldest sibling of four boys, Haamankuli has always possessed a caring and nurturing spirit, qualities essential for his future career in nursing. His decision to pursue nursing medicine was solidified during high school, when Haamankuli witnessed his grandmother’s gradual decline due to complications from a stroke, and ultimately succumbing to them. Many of these complications could have been prevented had Haamankuli’s grandmother had access to adequate resources and care, which were, lacking in the rural parts of Zambia where she resided. This canon experience compelled Haamankuli to pursue a career that involved providing healthcare to all, especially the most vulnerable, and nursing thus became his chosen avenue.

Like many rural areas all over the world, patients from rural areas in Alabama deal with similar shortcomings in terms of conveniently receiving proper care. According to the Alabama Department of Health (ADPH), 43.6% of the entire state population lives in rural areas, which makes it challenging for many to have less sufficient access to healthcare.

Haamankuli became involved with prostate cancer care after his father was diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of the disease. Early detection methods and treatment played a crucial role in saving his father’s life. However, Haamankuli soon realized that the majority of men diagnosed with lethal cancer do not have the same fortunate outcome. He made a personal commitment to raise awareness surrounding prostate cancer, emphasizing the importance of early detection and prompt treatment.

Haamankuli believes that there is a significant knowledge gap when it comes to prostate health among men in general, and even more specifically, the lack of understanding is even more pronounced in at-risk populations.

“I think there is also a lack of individuals who can disseminate prostate cancer research findings to the highly-vulnerable men. We need more clinicians and researchers to reach out to men in these communities,” says Haamankuli.

His primary approach to raising prostate cancer awareness involves fundraising for cancer research, after recognizing the pivotal role that research plays in developing life-saving treatments.

In collaboration with the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Urology, Haamankuli initiated a fundraising campaign as a tribute to his father, Bbwaani Haamankuli. The initiative's ultimate goal is to ensure that early detection and intervention resources are promoted to individuals at risk of developing prostate cancer.

Concurrently, Haamankuli is undertaking the challenge of completing two endurance races by the end of the year to spread awareness. He has already accomplished his first race, Xterra Oak Mountain, and is diligently preparing for the upcoming Ironman Chattanooga in September. In addition to these fundraising efforts, Haamankuli is undergoing the process of becoming a community health advisor through the program offered by O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Help support Haamankuli's awareness initiative through these quick and easy steps:

1. Click on the link 
2. Under the Make a Gift section, enter your desired gift amount
3. Select the "Give Now" option under Donation Frequency
4. Under Designation, select "Urologic Oncology Research Fund"
and enter the amount.
5. Under Additional Options, select "In Honor of Someone Special" and enter Bbwaani Haamankuli
6. Click "Save and Continue" and you will be then directed to your billing information.