Thousands of Ghanaians are expected to assemble in Koforidua in the Eastern Region on October 14, 2017 to participate in the walk against breast cancer.
The upcoming walk – the seventh in succession – draws inspiration and lessons from the maiden edition in Kumasi in 2011, in what has now become a landmark event, in the nationwide campaign to create awareness about breast cancer.
The event will also serve as an opportunity to showcase survivorship and reduce the stage at which women report to the hospitals.
“Our success story, imprinted on the minds of millions around the globe, is credited to our survivors, corporate Ghana, royalty, philanthropists, the media and the public in General,” declared Breast Care International’s President, Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, at the media launch of the 7th BCI Ghana “Walk for the cure” in Koforidua on Tuesday.
Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, who is also the CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, hailed the two institutions for remaining steadfast to the over-arching desire to intensify the breast cancer awareness creation drive, which she said is evidenced in the increased number of survivors, reduction in late stage presentation of cases, enhanced awareness about the condition, and acceptance that breast cancer is neither the product of myths, superstition, witchcraft, nor any notionally-held belief.
The global visibility and mileage enjoyed by BCI could not have been without the sustained cooperation of over 750 strong survivors (members of Peace And Love Survivors Association), who have defied the odds and risk of stigmatization to give word of mouth attestation publicly, convincing many, that indeed breast cancer is curable and survivable.
“Our Oncology Training Project, which brought 120 hitherto unemployed community based nurses to help detect and refer people with early stage Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) especially Breast Cancers, Cervical Cancers, Hypertension and Diabetes) at the community level in the two pilot regions of Ashanti and Eastern, attests to our keen commitment to spread out quality health care to the doorsteps of Ghanaians.”
On the venue for the walk, Dr. Wiafe Addai said “our choice of Koforidua for the 2017 walk was predicated on the conviction that the city is strategically placed to imbibe the anti-breast cancer awareness message for onward transmission to rural areas, where late stage presentation regrettably, is predominant.”
The Global BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure is also to serve as a prelude to the Great Akwantukesie Festival of the chiefs and people of the New Juaben Traditional Council.
“We are determined to ride on the back of the October 14 Koforidua walk to affirm our long held assertion that breast cancer is curable, highly treatable and survivable , if only detected early, a medical contract we hold true, and owe our patients,” Dr. Wiafe Addai added.
Dr. Wiafe Addai was grateful for the political and traditional leadership of the Eastern Region and also thanked the sponsors of the event which includes: Special Ice, ADB, Johnson & Johnson, Direct Relief, Roche, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, GTP, Jackson Educational Complex, Save Concept, Star Assurance, Cedar Point Chemists, Ghana Airports and the media.
The maiden walk is themed: “our breasts, let’s check them.”
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Credit: Breast Care International