‘Students Unite Against Cancer’ – Pink Pearl Foundation raises Breast & Cervical Cancer Awareness in Delta State University, UNIPORT & UNIBEN

To empower and enlighten the youth in the fight against breast and cervical cancer, Pink Pearl Foundation launched a University campaign in 2008 and ever since they have not caved in. This year, the campaign was taken to 4 tertiary institutions within the country. These include; Delta State University – Abraka Campus, Delta State University – Anwai Campus, University Of Benin and University of Port-Harcourt.

The campaign featured local presentations which were trailed by an intensive and informative lecture on Breast and Cervical cancer, given by the expertise of the foundation’s medical professional, Dr. Ann Ojimba. This was closely followed by a question and answer session as enthusiastic young men and women stepped up to engage the professionals with questions ranging from bold, riveting to funny. Four university ambassadors were chosen after a thrilling quiz competition with each ambassador receiving Ten Thousand Naira (₦10,000) prize money.

The ambassadors were overjoyed and honoured to be chosen amongst the lot. “I feel very delighted being an ambassador for such an educative foundation, I neverimagined it and am very happy”, Ogbogold Sandra, ambassador for the University of Benin, said. She was motivated to attend the campaign after a scare of noticing an irregularity in one of her breasts. Though she knew about self-examination, she was glad to know more about cervical cancer.

The ambassadors were urged to continue to spread the word of early detection and cancer awareness to their immediate family, friends and community. Ewenode Ukane, ambassador for Delta State University, Abraka, suggested that the foundation should extend their tentacles to the rural areas where the level of cancer ignorance is highest. After the lecture in each of the universities, a combined population of about 327 students were screened for breast cancer with a few of them being diagnosed of either lumps or fluids.

“It has truly been a wonderful experience visiting 4 Campuses. A few lumps were found after screening from each school. This year’s Campus Campaign was quite expository as youth joined the fight against breast and cervical cancer!” Orode Ryan-Okpu, the founder of Pink Pearl Foundation concluded.

At BN, we say a big Well Done to Pink Pearl Foundation for spreading the word.