A Veteran Journalist, Mrs Bimbo Oloyede has laid out plans to have a fundraising N100 million for cancer research and the treatment of cancer patients in public hospitals to commemorate her 70th birthday.
The funds, according to her, would be used for people with cancer who do not have access to treatment or any hope of sustainable care.
Oloyede who is the Coordinator of Lifeline Advocacy and Development Initiative disclosed her plans during a press briefing at the International Press Centre in Lagos on Thursday.
The Veteran Journalist who lost her daughter, husband and five other members of her family to cancer said that the fundraising event would raise awareness about closing the care gap regarding cancer in Nigeria.
“I felt that I should tell you myself about my plans for my 70th birthday. I feel so grateful to God for enabling me to stand before you in this manner.
“I feel thankful that my profession and the nature of my job pushed me to keep showing up, despite the personal difficulties I had with various members of my family. I owe my reason to my God, my profession, my family and my friends because the combination of the four kept me going.
“Some members of my family have struggled with an ailment known as cancer; sometimes winning and sometimes losing, but, thankfully, in those trying times, when we reached out to friends, we received the help we needed to cope with the situations, one by one.
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“However, as I speak, there are people who have cancer but have neither access to treatment nor any hope of sustainable care. I have spoken to relevant stakeholders, oncologists and health practitioners and new cases are being diagnosed at an alarming rate every clinic day in all the public hospitals.
” I am therefore convinced that I must do something significant to make life more comfortable for cancer patients.
“Although my birthday occurs during the Lenten season as well as the month of Ramadan, after due consideration, my family and I have decided to commemorate this milestone by raising N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for cancer research and the treatment of cancer patients in a public hospital but I know that this cannot be done alone.
“I ask the public to join me to do two things that will ease the discomfort of cancer patients. I would like the benefits to be widespread and accessible, irrespective of financial standing.”
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She said that the funds raised would be used to facilitate vital research and get equipment and accessories for Cancer care.
According to Oloyede, the fund-raising committee will be chaired by, the CEO of WFM 91.7 Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiyawhile Chief Emeka Anyaoku and his wife will chair the proceedings and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo will support the event as the Father of the Day.
She explained that the funds would be paid into an organisation which is duly registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission
According to her, the Trustees include Dr. Christopher Kolade, Mrs. Busola Talabi, Dr. Mrs. Sola Momoh, Dr. Raymond Kuti, Mr. Kingsley James, and Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede
