Kolade, Utomi Endorse #GIVINGTUESDAY To Fight Cancer

RENOWNED diplomat, Dr. Christopher Kolade and public affairs analyst, Prof. Pat Utomi have showed their commitment towards ending the rising cases of cancer in Nigeria through the #Giving Tuesday, which kicks off December 1. The event, which is a global movement for societal development was first initiated in 2012 by the United Nations Foundation to engender and celebrate generosity on a global scale, expressing gratitude for the gift of life, and for all the progress recorded in the outgoing year.

Observed all over the world, supported by business, political and social leaders, who come together to champion fund-raising for community development, the #GivingTuesday in Nigeria (#GivingTuesdayNg) is in line with the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) vision to fight the Big War against Cancer.

According to the coordinator, Kolade, “This will be observed along with the rest of the world through activities scheduled to hold on the first three Tuesdays in December, which are: Fund-Raising by individuals and organisations on Tuesday, December 1, Corporate Banquet in Lagos on Tuesday, December 8 and Presidential Banquet in Abuja FCT (Grand Finale) on Tuesday, December 15.

“Funds raised through #GivingTuesday2015 would go towards the “BIG WAR Against Cancer in Nigeria,” aimed at taking holistic healthcare to the grassroots through the acquisition and deployment of Mobile Cancer Centres (MCC), aimed at complementing the developmental efforts of Government, by mobilising all concerned Nigerians led by the private sector to unite in empowering Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

According to Utomi, an anchor of #Tuesdaygivingng, “the importance of the BIG WAR is underscored by the latest report by World Health Organisation (WHO), which shows an increase in deaths from the most common cancers in Nigeria, within four years. In 2008, breast cancer killed 30 Nigerian women daily; by 2012 this had risen to 40 women daily. In 2008 prostate cancer killed 14 Nigerian men daily; by 2012 this had risen to 26.

“While in 2008 liver cancer killed 24 Nigerians daily, by 2012 this had risen to 32. 240 Nigerians die from cancer daily – 10 deaths per hour. The good news is that most cancer deaths are preventable. And according to WHO, one-third of cancers is preventable, another third is curable and many cancer patients can have good quality of life with appropriate care.”