Foundation marks children’s day, seeks more support for young cancer patients
By Justina Auta
In a bid to create more awareness and advocate for increased support for childhood cancer, a non-governmental organisation, Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF), took action on Children’s Day 2025.
The foundation marked the celebration with young cancer patients in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), bringing attention to their struggles and the need for early detection, care, and support.
Ms Kemi Adekanye, Founder and Chief Volunteer of OkapiCCF, led the initiative on Tuesday at the National Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
She stated that the exercise was designed to celebrate the strength of children battling cancer and emphasised the importance of early detection and care.
According to Adekanye, the day also served as an opportunity to spend quality time with young patients, while offering support and encouragement to their parents and caregivers.
“There is currently no structured support or government intervention for children with cancer.
“We are helping to reduce some of their financial burdens by covering part of their treatment costs and offering psychological support, just like we are doing here today.
“We all need to come together to raise awareness and support for these children. Even for those who are not yet diagnosed, cancer is more common in children than most people realise,” she said.
Malam Sani Abdulkarim, father of a five-year-old cancer patient, said the initiative brought smiles and hope to children in the hospital, reassuring them that they were not alone in their fight.
“We appreciate the foundation for making these children happy on this special day.
“I also appeal to the government to support these families, especially financially, and to establish more oncology centres,” he urged.
Mrs Francesca Augustine, mother of a two-year-old, also expressed gratitude:”When she was diagnosed, it was devastating, but God sent Okapi Foundation to restore our hope and support us.
“She has now completed her treatment.”
Dr Oyesakin Adewunmi, Chief Consultant Paediatrician and Head of the Oncology Unit at the National Hospital, Abuja, lauded the foundation for its decade-long support of children with cancer.
“Through their contributions, we’ve been able to finance treatments to completion, and some of these children are now survivors who have returned to school,” she said.
Adewunmi also highlighted persistent challenges in the fight against childhood cancer, including lack of funding, access to blood and blood products, and socio-cultural factors.
She stressed the importance of timely medical intervention and adherence to treatment to improve survival rates.
Similarly, Dr Ifeoma Ezeukwu, Head of the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Unit at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, called for a unified effort:”Everyone should support children with cancer.
“The belief that cancer doesn’t occur in children is outdated. It does, and it is treatable if detected early.
“We urge the government to make cancer treatment for children free and include it in the national health insurance scheme. This will ease the financial burden on families.”
She also acknowledged OkapiCCF’s continued partnership in supporting children through diagnosis, investigation, and treatment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as part of the Children’s Day celebration, the foundation distributed hampers filled with food items and gifts to children undergoing cancer treatment.(NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
