…Breast cancer patient appeals for assistance
October 23, 2015 By Regina Pratt
Madam Ejatu Kabba, a breast cancer patient, is appealing for further treatment as she is in dire need of urgent assistance to enable her undergo a second treatment in Ghana.
She made this appeal at a press conference held at Airtel headquarters, Hill Station, in Freetown, Wednesday 21 October at an awareness raising campaign on breast cancer.
GSM mobile company, Airtel Sierra Leone, has taken the lead in helping to raise awareness about breast cancer, with a marathon jog 2015 slated for Saturday, 31 October, 2015 starting from Cotton Tree in the city centre to Family Kingdom in Aberdeen.
Chief Executive Officer, Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation, Mrs. Cremelda Pratt, described breast cancer as a non-communicable killer disease, and disclosed that the foundation had successfully solicited financial support for Khadija Konneh, a breast cancer patient currently undergoing treatment in Ghana.
She said scores of women die every day of breast cancer, adding that losing a breast or going through treatment were both painful.
Mrs. Pratt admonished women and girls to check for any abnormality in their breast regularly as everybody is at risk. She expressed thanks and appreciation to Airtel Mobile Company for hosting the ceremony.
Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation II, Madam Madina Rahman, who was guest of honour, told journalists that plans were underway by her Ministry to make available cancer diagnostic equipment in Sierra Leone.
She noted that early detection was vital for every woman, and encouraged women to imbibe the habit of going for monthly examination.
Breast cancer, the Deputy Minister said, could also affect men, thus she advised men and women to watch their urine, do daily exercise, and adopt monthly examination.
She told her audience that any discharge from the breast was a warning sign, adding that those with a family history of the disease must be going for regular checks.
Madam Rahman urged for outreach awareness raising programmes in communities and schools and appealed to the press for their total support.
Acting Managing Director, Sanjeet Kumar, expressed Airtel’s commitment and support to help spread awareness raising messages, and lauded Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for their commitment to the fight against women dying of breast cancer.
The Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation Freetown mini marathon 2015 is part of activities to sensitise and share life saving strategy in the fight against women dying of breast cancer.