BRICON Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has called for better support to cancer survivors so they can live well and feel included in society.
Co-founder of the foundation, Mrs. Abigail Simon-Hart, made the appeal on Saturday at the 2025 Cancer Survivor Conference in Lagos. The theme of the event was “Together we RISE.”
She explained that survivors need the same level of care they received during treatment to help them overcome challenges and recover from the heavy financial costs of treatment.
“Life after cancer deserves as much attention as treatment. Survival is not just about defeating cancer, but about rebuilding lives,” she said.
Simon-Hart noted that many patients lose their savings, jobs, and businesses during treatment, leaving them struggling to rebuild. She stressed that survivors must be supported so they can stand again and contribute to society.
As a survivor herself, she said the conference gave people the chance to share their experiences and connect with support programmes that restore confidence and stability.
She recalled that BRICON Foundation, which she co-founded with Dr. Niyi Adekeye in 2016, was created to support patients, their families, and close the gaps in cancer care.
The foundation, she said, has raised over ₦100 million, trained healthcare workers, donated mastectomy wear, provided food support, and assisted survivors’ children with school needs.
“We have trained more than 500 healthcare workers on palliative care and how to break bad news, and we continue to support families of cancer patients,” she added.
Co-founder Dr. Niyi Adekeye announced a new micro-grant programme to help survivors rebuild their lives. The project, done in partnership with Beiersdorf Nivea’s Moments of Care initiative, aims to empower survivors through grants and mentoring.
At the event, Nivea donated over ₦46 million to BRICON Foundation, the largest single donation it has received so far. Adekeye praised the support, saying it will help survivors complete treatment and return to business and community life.
He stressed that survivorship must become a key part of Nigeria’s cancer response, alongside early detection, affordable treatment, and palliative care. “This cause is personal to us,” he said, noting that his co-founder and sister are survivors, and that he lost his father to cancer.
Mr. Dele Adeyole, Country Head of Beiersdorf Nivea Nigeria, said the partnership reflects Nivea’s global commitment to social responsibility. He explained that the company wants to go beyond skincare by investing in communities and making a positive impact.
Also speaking, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor, called for stronger private-public partnerships to widen access to cancer care. She said plans were already in place to expand treatment options across Lagos State.
The conference also featured a training session for participants, titled “Small Business, Big Vision,” to help survivors explore business opportunities and rebuild their lives.
