Foundation Rallies 10 Cities For Childhood Cancer Awareness Walk

By Justina Auta

The Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF) says it will mobilise participants across 10 cities in Nigeria and the United Kingdom for its 10th Annual Childhood Cancer Awareness Walk.

The initiative is aimed at promoting awareness and support for children battling cancer, while mobilising public participation and resources for affected children and their families.

Founder and Chief Volunteer of OkapiCCF, Dr Kemi Adekanye, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, outlining plans for the annual campaign and renewed efforts to support affected children nationwide.

According to her, the event, scheduled for Sept. 26, will hold with the campaign theme, “10 Cities. 1 Mission.” with the Abuja flagship walk commencing at 7:00 a.m. at Jabi Lake Mall.

Adekanye said the event, themed “Step by Step, We Rewrite the Story,” marks a decade of sustained advocacy to improve childhood cancer awareness, encourage early detection and mobilise resources for affected families.

She described the 10th edition as a celebration of resilience and collective commitment toward giving children battling cancer renewed hope, while strengthening public support for treatment, care and awareness initiatives.

“This 10th walk is more than an anniversary celebration. It represents 10 years of people choosing to show up for children fighting battles they never chose.

“Every person who walks with us sends a message to a child and their family that they are not alone.”
Adekanye therefore highlighted the significance of community support and solidarity.

“Every shirt purchased, every donation made and every voice raised in awareness helps us continue rewriting stories that might otherwise have ended too soon,” she added.

Adekanye called on members of the public, schools, corporate organisations, professional bodies and community groups to participate in the walk, purchase kits and donate towards treatment and care services.

She said proceeds from the sale of walk kits would support the foundation’s treatment assistance programme and other interventions designed to improve outcomes for children living with cancer nationwide.

According to her, the annual walk brings together volunteers, survivors, families, healthcare professionals, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to demonstrate solidarity with children living with cancer and their families.

Advertisement

She said the foundation had worked to ensure that a childhood cancer diagnosis did not become a death sentence because of financial constraints, through partnerships with hospitals, donors and volunteers.

Adekanye said that more than 250 children living with cancer had received support, while awareness campaigns had reached thousands of students and community members across Nigeria over time.

She emphasised that no child should fight cancer alone and no family should be forced to abandon treatment because of financial hardship or the inability to access support.

OkapiCCF was established in memory of Tunde “Okapi” Ogungbayi to support children affected by cancer through treatment assistance, hospital support, school sensitisation, community outreach and advocacy for early detection nationwide.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru