Angela Onwuzoo
Founder of Rock Foundation for Widows, Orphans and Less Privileged, Mrs Favour Chika-Okafor, has said that for the campaign against cervical cancer to be won, all hands must be on deck.
She made the statement while unfolding plans by the foundation to offer free cervical cancer services to underprivileged Nigerians, particularly children and widows.
ROFWOL is a non-profit organisation committed to empowering underprivileged children and poor widows.
Chika-Okafor’s remarks are contained in a statement, which unfolds plans for the commemoration of the foundation’s 22nd anniversary in charitable works, and 12 years as a registered trust foundation.
Justifying the need for a sustained campaign against cervical cancer, she noted that in Nigeria, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years, lamenting the loss of 8,000 women yearly to the disease.
She noted that the programme would cost a huge amount of money, but said the cost would not deter the foundation, saying: “When there is a will and commitment, there will always be a way, especially since the project is meant to affect humanity positively and better the lives of the underprivileged; and, more importantly, the project enjoys divine support, through well-meaning Nigerians.
“It is a non-profit activity to mark 22 years of touching lives positively. ROFWOL is creating awareness on cervical cancer, prevention and treatment and will give free PAP Smear screening tests to poor widows, poor women, and sexually exposed girls.”
On how to raise the needed funds, she said: “Raising the fund is secondary. The most important thing is that we are driven by commitment, passion and a strong desire to succeed. With these basic qualities, other needs, including finance by our support partners, will follow seamlessly.
“We expect that corporate bodies and individuals will be equally committed to our campaign of eliminating or minimising the deadly impact of cervical cancer. No doubt, they will support us.
“We will be bringing some of them together on Sunday, December 10 in Lagos to brief them on ROFWOL’s Cervical Cancer Campaign and to solicit their support.
“At ROFWOL, we are ready and willing to commit all we have to make the project succeed; however, the amount required is enormous, hence, we are reaching out to all Nigerians, corporate and individuals, to support this laudable campaign against cervical cancer.
“To us, no contribution is too small as all contributions will add up to make the desired great impact. “
She said the foundation has impacted humanity in diverse ways, including scholarships for indigent pupils and students.”
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