I heard a preacher talking
about how visions are birth. He talked about visions coming from a revelation
from God, through a burden or through love. I will have to say that I agree
with him.
Years ago when I went down
to Africa for holidays, I witnessed such a poor state of healthcare in some
areas that I was deeply concerned. We in the west have access to a very good
healthcare system and take it for granted sometimes.
What got me going with
Breast cancer awareness? It all started with loosing a very close friend. She
was married to my friend who is based in London and he was working hard to
organise her papers to bring her over to London.
In the process of doing
this, she found a lump in her breast and decided to use local treatment. The
husband was strongly against this and insisted she did chemo and used approved
medications.
She was advised by doctors to
remove the right breast to save her life, as it was diagnosed at a late stage
(Stage 3), for she thought it was a reaction after just giving birth. She
decided not to remove the breast as she was advised that her husband would no
longer find her attractive if she does.
She was also bombarded with
myths about cancer and she was traumatized and confused. In the long run she
died after she was taking to a ‘Native Doctor’ who mixed local herbal
medications with what the hospital had prescribed.
The husband was devasted, a
little boy left behind devastated too. Sad at it may be, the family of the late
lady, blamed the husband for not caring and all sorts of issues raised from her
death. Those that advised her to avoid medical treatment hid their faces and
denied ever doing so. Some of them even came to see what they could get from
her personal clothing’s.
If only she had access to information
about breast cancer. If only this information was drummed down her ear to check
her breast monthly. If she had check, she would be alive today.
“Imagine some so called
pharmacies selling chemo over the counter”
“Imagine breast lumps
removed without any Biopsy”
“Imagine women with bleeding
nipples just left to die”
The challenges in Africa is
huge, we know that. But we all cannot just stand and look from afar and
complain about it. Lets get our hands dirty and do something. Get involved in
some charity and offer to help. Be it cancer or any other decease.
As for me, am determined to
make a difference in Breast Cancer awareness in Africa. It’s a huge tasked but
I have a dream, that twenty (20) years from now, every capital city in the four
countries we work in (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa) will have a
Cancer Clinic. This will help reduce the level of late diagnosis and directly
reduce the rate of mortalities.
We go to Kenya in September
to do the best that we can. We plan to offer Breast Examinations, Ultra Sound,
Share information. It’s a start for Busia, Kenya. We will continue to repeat
these visits until we make a difference
Volunteer your time and Join
us. Do something that will save lives.Jooin us for the London 4 Africa picnic in Green Park on the 27th of july to show your support.
In the mean time send us a picture
of you holding a paper saying #cancelcancerafrica
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