The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in their life time. Every 3 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with invasive breast cancer world wide which is a huge number of women that are our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. Considering that women are the home makers and care givers in most homes and Men get breast cancer too which is rare but there with the same symptoms as that of the women, we have and will continue creating awareness. Cancer diagnosis does not affect only the fighter but family and friends also and sometimes total strangers with compassion. Cancer affects people more than malaria, thyphoid, TB, HIV/AIDS combined but it has not been given the attention it deserves which brings a lot of stress and burden to most families, families such as mine.
Kunak Foundation has gone on courtesy visits to every Administration since 2006 on health care and from 2010 to date on Cancer Issues to the Kaduna State Government asking the government to look into the pain and suffering of cancer fighters and survivors. We spoke about the importance of making a policy for Cancer using the existing structures of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health but we are still praying and waiting for our prayer to be answered.
It is sad to say that we don't have a place that we can run to as cancer fighters or survivors fighting the disease and complications daily. Once you are diagnosed with cancer, you are 100% on your own. 80% of the cancer fighters die not because of the cancer itself but as a result of lack of funds. If you are lucky to have people that care enough about you, they contribute if not, you are left to faith. We pray daily for a cure and trusting God for total healing.
Early detection saves lives, so we advocate and create awareness in Kunak Foundation for young adults ages 20-29 to have a clinical exam every 3 years and Breast self exam twice a week. Ages 40 and above both men and women should have an annual clinical breast exam prior to a Mammogram, followed by a Mammogram and a daily self exam in the bedroom or the shower. The fact that we are aware that breast cancer exist is not enough, going for a test, sharing the information with your family, friends and community is a big step in the right direction. Our prayer is for God to show us a cure soon to eradicate this suffering.
MMM Nigeria sponsored us for the first time in nine years for our pink october campaign. It is important to have such a partnership that brings hope, support, courage and love to fighters. I am honored and humbled with this partnership and the beginning of many great things to come.
Kunak Foundation is distributing breast cancer self exam flyers, media chat to create more awareness, two Football matches by male and female teams. Victoria Kazah VS Ethel Ero-Phillips (both breast cancer survivors) and Jerry Adams VS Emmanuel Gideon to create male breast cancer awareness on Friday 21/10/2016 at Karatudu primary school, Gonin Gora @2:30pm. We are rounding up with a 2kms walk on Friday 28/10/2016 from Police College round about to Ranchers Bees stadium independence way Kaduna @2:30pm. Please be our guests for the Pink October Campaign. Please note that breast cancer does not end at the end of October so the awareness also does not end. No one fights Cancer alone, with Prayers, love, strength, hope, faith and the support of our family and friends, we are in this fight together to the end.
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