Events
Denrele Edun, Korede Bello, Others Lead World Cancer Day 2017 Walk Organized by Project PINK BLUE | Photos
Project PINK BLUE, a Health & Psychological Trust Centre, a cancer organization organized the commemoration of World Cancer Day with a Walk, Cycle, Ride, Skate & Marathon against Cancer on Saturday, February 4th, 2017 at Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
The 2017 World Cancer Day Walk, Cycle, Ride, Skate & Marathon against Cancer has theme: “We Can, I Can” and was graced by Sen. Tejuoso Olarewaju, Chair, Senate Committee on Health; Korede Bello, Denrele Edun, Shola Adeyemo, Peace Emezue, Ghana Must Go, Ambassador Wahala, Onome de Saint, Stainless, Koboko, Big Mo and other dignitaries.
World Cancer Day organized by Project PINK BLUE was Abuja’s most beautiful and impactful event, with the following activities:
Screening: 132 women received free clinical breast examinations; 103 women received free cervical cancer screenings and 59 men received free prostate cancer screenings. People found with abnormal results would be assisted for treatment.
Walk Against Cancer: 4.1 Km walk which started from Transcorp Hilton, Maitama through Shehu Shagari Way, Unity Fountain, through Ministry of Justice and a brief stop-over at Thisday Dome, then they proceeded through Ahmadu Bello Way, then Ademola Adetokunbo crescent and back to Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
Marathon Against Cancer: 21km Half Marathon kicked off from Transcorp Hilton, Maitama, through Shehu Shagari Way till Murtala Mohammed Way, Asokoro and back to Unity Fountain, Maitama in four rounds. It was amazing that some Abuja residents completed the Half Marathon.
Ride Against Cancer: 18 Motorbikes championed the ride against cancer. It was one of the biggest Abuja Motorbike gatherings, with diversified Powerbikes seen flying a flag a Cancer and Project PINK BLUE flag bearing “Ride Against Cancer”.
Cycle Against Cancer: Abuja Cyclists covered 40km, they kicked from Transcorp Hilton, Maitama and cycled through Garki, Wuse II, Maitama and Wuse and back to Transcorp Hilton with the goal of supporting people battling with cancer and encouraging people to exercise.
Project PINK BLUE has called on the Federal Government to establish a National Agency on Cancer Control, to ameliorate the pains of cancer patients, reduce cancer deaths and cancer incidence. The Executive Director of Project PINK BLUE, Runcie Chidebe, made the call while addressing newsmen after the World Cancer Day walk. Chidebe said “although more people are affected by cancer in Western countries compared to Sub-Saharan Africa, more people die of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria”. He continued saying, “it is not proper that in a country of over 160million people, we have only two treatment centres that are functional. The government is doing something but it needs to do more, Hon. Muhammed Usman sponsored the bill for the establishment of an agency for cancer control; if that bill passes through and get the president’s assent, there would be an improvement in cancer survivorship, more awareness and a significant reduction in the prevalence of cancer and cancer deaths in Nigeria”.
World Cancer Day is commemorated globally by millions of people across world every February 4th. Project PINK BLUE is an NGO engaged in cancer awareness, free screenings, support to people battling with cancer, fundraising, and patient navigation. During last year’s World Cancer Day, the organization raised N5.5million in cash and N9million in drug support through Pink Oak to support Comfort Oyayi Daniel a breast cancer patient who was present at the walk this year.
Visit the website to learn more about Project PINKBLUE or click here to learn about World Cancer Day. Follow them on social media on @projectpinkblue.
See more photos from the event:
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