By Francis Kamara

International and national sensitization on the dangers of cancer, how to detect it and how to seek a cure before it is too late cannot be overemphasized. It is against this background that Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation and Orange Foundation have collaborated by holding a massive sensitization campaign to bring more awareness about the disease.  

On Friday 4^th February 2022, which is yearly commemorated as World Cancer Day, Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation in collaboration with Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, launched an awareness campaign  with the theme: ‘’Close the Care Gap”. Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation and Orange Foundation Sierra Leone joined the campaign to call on everyone, to collectively and individually commit and strengthen the actions aimed at reducing the impact of cancer in Sierra Leone.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation (TPBCF), Mrs. Pratt, in her statement thanked medical personnel in fighting the good fight. She added that February 4^th every year is a day the entire world comes together to raise awareness about cancer. She stated that World Cancer Day is a global movement with a global initiative that brings people all over the globe to raise awareness on cancer and to proffer positive and inspiring actions to deal with the disease.

As data collection with regard cancer is at an all-time high, she called on all aid organizations to come on board and help tackle the rising number of cancer cases.

She went on to say that as the theme for this year is: “Close the Care Gap”, she urged all those in the fight to do more than is required to make sure every affected Sierra Leonean receives equitable access to care, attention and funding for treatment. She called on government institutions, Sierra Leone Cancer Society, international partners, and non-governmental organizations to take a look at the troubling situation affecting cancer victims – financial constraints, illiteracy and discrimination amongst others negatively affecting the fight against cancer.

Mrs. Jestina Betts, on behalf of Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, acknowledged the efforts of those leading the fight against cancer. She affirmed that Orange as a leading and responsible telecommunications operator prides itself in not only connecting its customers to the digital space, but they are also providing the essentials for every Sierra Leonean. She added that cancer is a global concern that requires not only the help of the health sector, but also the private sector, and that this is why under the health pillar of the Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, they thought it fit to partner with Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation over the years.

She affirmed that over 3.000 people were screened in 2020/21 nationwide with hundreds of abnormalities found during these tests. She added that despite this is sad news for the victims; knowing the disappointing truth is better than being ignorant. However, she maintained that this year’s theme is very appropriate, as “Close the Care Gap” is a gallant call to all and sundry to play a part in creating a cancer-free world. Emmanuella, a pupil and survivor who is not much older than 15, has been suffering from breast cancer for years and she explained her story and difficulties in relation to the disease. She thanked Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation and their partners for the good work they have done for her and other cancer victims over the years. She urged all Sierra Leoneans to do daily check-ups to know their status. She added that the fight against cancer requires the attention of all, and that as a volunteer in the fight against cancer, she encourages all Sierra Leoneans to join the fight in any little way they can.

Dr. Ruth Taylor, mentioned that 41 million people are affected by breast cancer each year in Sub-Sahara Africa alone. She added that “we cannot talk about cancer without mentioning Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).” She went on to say that NCDs are the number one cause of death and disability in the world. She explained to her audience that the term NCDs refer to a group of conditions that are not mainly caused by an acute infection, but result in long-term health consequences and often create a need for long-term treatment and care.

Thinking Pink Foundation focuses on nationwide breast cancer awareness. They try to raise awareness in communities, schools, universities, marketplaces, corporations and institutions – and support women with funds for their treatment options and source funds for out-of-the-country treatment as Sierra Leone lacks complete infrastructure in terms of cancer in the area of chemo and radiotherapy.