Okapi Children Cancer Foundation, an NGO on Friday donated N3 million to 14 children suffering from cancer to ease the burden of hospital bills on their parents.
The children are currently undergoing treatment at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The founder of the Foundation, Mrs. Kemi Adekanye, said that the organisation started the gesture in September 2017, to ensure the wellbeing of the children suffering from cancer.
She said that the fund donated to children by the Foundation usually came from families, friends and well-meaning Nigerians as well as social media influencers with love for humanity and children in particular.
Adekanye, however, lamented that the campaign against cancer was still low in the country and called on government at all levels alongside other NGOs to step up actions against the disease.
She said: “September is our childhood cancer awareness month, every September; we meet to raise funds for these children at the National Hospital.
“My message to Nigerians is to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer and take care of it.
“Cancer is becoming a national pandemic; if your child is diagnosed with the disease, adhere to medical treatment and do not go on traditional treatment.’’
Dr Ozy Okonokhua, a member of the board of trustees of the Foundation said that part of the reasons the organisation decided on yearly donation was because the National Health Insurance Schemes (NHIS) does not cover cancer treatment in its programme.
Okonokhua, who is also the President of the Nigerian Optometric Association said the Foundation decided to be working on cancer issues because its awareness “is still very low in the country.’’
According to him, many people are unaware that children also suffer from cancer or that there is need to continually enlighten the citizens for them to take precautionary measures to guard against the ailment.
“Most parents who have children suffering from cancer stay back at home and blame the issue on religion and other forms of superstition.
“There are lots of traditional medicines being prescribed for the treatment of cancer; this is why we decided to intervene and sensitise the public on what to do if they find themselves in such situations,’’ he said.
READ ALSO: Alleged Pension Fraud: I Don’t Know Where Maina Is, Sen. Ndume Tells Court
Mrs. Rose Akoh, the communication officer for Okapi, said that the Foundation was determined to save many children from the terminal ailment.
She pointed out that it took a lot of money to manage cancer adding that early detection was still needed on childhood cancer.
Dr Oyeshakin Adewumi, of the Department of Oncology, National Hospital, Abuja, thanked Okapi Foundation on behalf of the hospital for the donation toward the children’s treatment.
She prayed that the Lord Almighty would greatly reward members of the Foundation.
Mrs. Agishi Faith and Mrs. Baria Ibrahim, mothers to some of the children undergoing cancer treatment, thanked the Foundation for coming to their aid.
They prayed God to reward the Foundation’s efforts.