The BRICON Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has stressed the need for cancer patients and survivors to embrace life beyond diagnosis, treatment and surgery.
Mrs Abigail Simon-Hart, a co-founder of the foundation, made this known at the foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration held at Eko Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday.
Simon-Hart, a breast cancer survivor who co-founded the foundation with Dr Niyi Adekeye in 2016, said surviving cancer should open a new chapter of hope, purpose and possibilities.
She said survivors needed positive reinforcement and support structures to help them move forward after cancer.
“I know the importance of being with other cancer survivors and support systems to start life afresh,” she said.
She said the foundation was established to improve cancer care, raise awareness and help patients and their families through support, access to care, financial aid, education and advocacy.
According to her, the foundation’s support extended beyond treatment, with its RISE programme providing grants to help survivors restart their businesses and get back on their feet.
She said BRICON also supported children of cancer survivors with scholarships, while other interventions included food-bank donations and various forms of practical assistance.
“Over the years, we have been able to alleviate the financial and emotional burdens associated with cancer for women who have come in contact with our foundation.”
The co-founder said the 10th anniversary celebration created an opportunity for survivors to share experiences, relax, celebrate life and look beyond the challenges associated with cancer.
Simon-Hart said more than 100 cancer survivors participated in activities organised to commemorate the anniversary.
She said the survivors included people who had battled breast, cervical, throat and colorectal cancers, noting that the gathering provided an opportunity to forget about cancer for a while.
“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, who was diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago, said her personal experience had strengthened her understanding of the importance of support among survivors.
She urged patients not to allow stigma and shame surrounding cancer diagnosis to prevent them from seeking help or speaking about their experiences.
She added that 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.
“I have seen people, especially women, die of breast cancer because they refused to talk, and some refused to have their breasts removed.”
Dr Niyi Adekeye, a co-founder of the BRICON Foundation, said the organisation had supported survivors through screening, treatment, medication, surgeries, education, training and micro-grants.
He said the foundation also recognised the impact of cancer on families, supporting husbands and children of cancer patients through different initiatives.
Adekeye, a medical professional whose father died of cancer, said the foundation also provided training and mentoring for survivors, helping them develop skills and regain financial independence.
He added that the foundation had distributed mastectomy bras and prosthetics to more than 300 people at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital in Ogun State.
According to him, the donation was part of activities lined up to commemorate the foundation’s 10th anniversary.
He estimated that the foundation had impacted the lives of more than 1,000 people through its various interventions since inception.
He identified funding as one of the major challenges in its efforts to support more cancer patients, noting that cancer support was continuous and required sustained resources.
He commended the various organisations, institutions and individuals that had supported the foundation over the years.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Iwalade Adeorimi, said she had survived cancer twice and attended the anniversary celebration to express gratitude for life.
She said surviving cancer had taught her that the possibility of survival should remain more important than the stigma surrounding 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,” Adeorimi said.
Adeorimi thanked BRICON for supporting her during her lowest moments, saying the foundation had provided assistance even when she did not openly ask for help.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Akindele Ajoke, said BRICON had supported her with tuition fees, monetary gifts, emotional support and regular calls to check on her welfare.
Ajoke described the foundation as supportive, urging people diagnosed with cancer not to withdraw because of stigma.
“There is no stigma in cancer. I do tell people that cancer is just like every other disease,” she said.
Some of the activities at the event included vocational training, a fashion parade by survivors, presentation of recognition awards to donors and competitions, among others.
