More than 100 cancer survivors have gathered in Lagos to mark the 10th anniversary of BRICON Foundation, with survivors urged to reject stigma and embrace life beyond diagnosis, treatment and surgery.
The call was made by Mrs Abigail Simon-Hart, Co-founder of BRICON Foundation and a breast cancer survivor, at the anniversary celebration held at Eko Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday.
Simon-Hart, who co-founded the foundation with Dr Niyi Adekeye in 2016, said surviving cancer should mark the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope, purpose and possibilities.
She said survivors required positive reinforcement and strong support systems to rebuild their lives after treatment, stressing that her personal experience had shown her the importance of connecting with fellow survivors.
According to her, BRICON Foundation was established to improve cancer care, raise awareness and support patients and their families through access to care, financial assistance, education and advocacy.
She said the foundation’s interventions went beyond medical treatment, with its RISE programme providing grants to survivors to restart businesses and regain financial independence.
The co-founder added that BRICON also provided scholarships for children of cancer survivors, alongside food-bank donations and other forms of practical assistance.
“Over the years, we have been able to alleviate the financial and emotional burdens associated with cancer for women that have come in contact with our foundation,” she said.
Simon-Hart, who was diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago, said the 10th anniversary provided survivors with an opportunity to share their experiences, relax, celebrate life and temporarily put aside the challenges associated with the disease.
She said more than 100 survivors of breast, cervical, throat and colorectal cancers participated in the anniversary activities.
“This anniversary availed survivors the opportunity to hang out with fellow survivors, share their stories, get encouraged and celebrate being alive,” she said.
Simon-Hart urged cancer patients not to allow stigma or shame to stop them from speaking out and seeking timely medical assistance.
“Having cancer should not prevent anyone from continuing to live meaningfully. Cancer is not a death sentence; you have to speak out to get help on time,” she said.
She regretted that some women had lost their lives to breast cancer because they were afraid to speak about their condition or undergo recommended treatment, including mastectomy where medically necessary.
Adekeye, also a co-founder of the foundation, said BRICON had supported cancer survivors through screening, treatment, medication, surgeries, education, vocational training, mentoring and micro-grants.
He said the foundation recognised that cancer affected entire families, adding that husbands and children of patients had also benefited from its interventions.
Adekeye, a medical personnel who lost his father to cancer, said BRICON had helped survivors develop skills and regain financial independence through training and mentorship.
He disclosed that the foundation had distributed mastectomy bras and prosthetics to more than 300 beneficiaries at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Ogun State.
According to him, BRICON had impacted more than 1,000 people through its various interventions since inception.
He, however, identified funding as a major challenge confronting the foundation, noting that cancer support was a continuous process requiring sustained resources.
He commended organisations, institutions and individuals that had supported BRICON’s work over the past decade.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Iwalade Adeorimi, who survived cancer twice, said she attended the anniversary to celebrate life and express gratitude for overcoming the disease.
“Last year was the second time I attended, and I came with a surgery scar. I’m here this year to the glory of God and to show gratitude,” she said.
Adeorimi thanked BRICON for supporting her during her most difficult moments, saying the foundation provided assistance even when she did not openly ask for help.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Akindele Ajoke, said the foundation supported her with tuition fees, financial assistance, emotional support and regular welfare calls.
Ajoke urged people diagnosed with cancer not to withdraw from society because of stigma, stressing that cancer should not be treated as a source of shame.
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“There is no stigma in cancer. I do tell people that cancer is just like every other disease,” she said.
Activities marking the anniversary included vocational training, a fashion parade by survivors, competitions and presentation of recognition awards to donors and supporters of the foundation.
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