Cancer Foundation Holds Sensitisation Campaign for FCT Students

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

A non-governmental organisation, Cormode Cancer Foundation, has established a cancer awareness club for students in secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Known as Cormode Cancer Champions Club, this is an innovative initiative aimed at creating awareness among Nigerian secondary schools on the dangers posed by cancer and how to avert them.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the inauguration of the Cormode Cancer Champions Club at Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja Wednesday, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Dr. Denise Ejoh, said the aim was to create awareness among Nigerians, especially the young ones, on the menace of cancer.

“The objective is to raise awareness in Nigeria especially among young people for them to understand that cancer is a killer.

“I believe that if we don’t create the necessary awareness among the younger generation now, there will be a problem in future. So we are urging the government to support this programme,” she said.

At present, Ejoh said, the Foundation is partnering with the Ministry of Education and state school boards to be able to come up with the programme and establish the clubs in the schools.

Ejoh, who is the driving force behind the Cormode Cancer Foundation, said the initiative is very significant.

“I have undergone three brain surgeries and had gamma knife surgery (using radiology) to remove seven additional tumors and different treatment regimens to shrink four to five tumors using chemotherapy.

“As a survivor, I understand firsthand the importance of early education about cancer to remove the stigma surrounding it. By educating our children, we can foster a more informed and compassionate society,” she said.

One of the resource persons and a breast cancer survivor, Ms. Gloria, gave a testimony of how she came down with the cancer disease at an early age of 22 years.

She however said that with the early detection and proper treatment, she has been able to overcome the health challenge for over 20 years.

Cormode Cancer Foundation was registered and fully documented in Nigeria in 2019.

Highlights of the event included lectures and quiz for the students with certificates issued to all the participants.