CONCERNED CITIZENS ADVOCATE INTENSIFIED FIGHT AGAINST CANCER
Worried by the ripple effect, excruciating pains, agony, excess monetary involvement and thousands of deaths caused by cancer, the Founder, Breast Without Spot, Professor Ifeoma Okoye alongside other partners has organised the first Nationwide “Go Pink Day” to create more awareness on breast cancer and related cases.
The event was also to honour and acknowledge survivors and relatives of those who lost their battle to cancer as well as raise fund for indigenous patients.
Professor Okoye attributed fear, procrastination and not my portion syndrome to factors responsible for late detection of cancer.
The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole represented by the National Cancer Control Coordinator, in the Ministry, Dr David Atuwo advised Nigerians to join hands with the government to fight cancer.
He attributed the increasing rate of the disease to ignorance.
Another speaker at the event and former Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo called for proactive measure to check the menace of cancer in the society.
Other speakers including the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu represented by the State Chairman, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, the Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma and Board Chairman, Breast Without Spot, Chief Ben Etiaba, expressed their total support to the fight against cancer.
Also the deputy Governor of Enugu State, Chief Cecilia Ezeilo who lost her spouse to prostrate cancer commended the efforts of Professor Ifeoma Okoye to contain breast cancer.
A one time Acting Director General of FRCN and Executive Director Enugu Music Society, Mr Kevin Ejiofor who also lost his spouse to cancer stressed the importance of music in fighting cancer.
Highpoint of the programme include testimonies from some cancer survivors, Drama directed by the GM Unity FM Abakaliki, Mr Greg Odiakosa which highlighted the effect of ignorance on some cancer patients, Candle lighting ceremony to honour survivors, patients and the dead.
The Zonal Director, FRCN Enugu, Mr Ike Okere, the first female Governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, the former Chief of Staff, Enugu State, Mr Victor Atuonwu who also lost his 20 year old daughter to cancer were among dignitaries that graced the occasion.
IFEOMA AMUTA