OCT 15 : Imagine growing up with your sister, your mother, or your wife, the ones who have shaped your life’s bright and joyful moments. Then, one day, a dark cloud passes through, stealing the joy, smiles, and memories. The once vibrant woman who brightened your world, is now shadowed by a silent, aggressive illness: Breast Cancer.
Breast cancer is a personal fight that affects millions of women worldwide. Every year, an estimated 2.1 million new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed globally, accounting for 24.2% of all cancer cases in women. In simpler terms, 1 in every 4 women diagnosed with cancer is facing breast cancer. That’s one out of four mothers, daughters, sisters, or friends.
Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. It affects the young, the elderly, the wealthy, and the poor alike. In Kenya, breast cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The devastating reality is that many women lose their lives not because the disease is untreatable, but because access to early detection and proper treatment is limited.
Our mission is to ensure that every woman has access to the early detection, treatment, and emotional support they deserve in the fight against breast cancer, by fostering a cohesive world that is socially responsible to humanity through collaborations, partnerships, and nationwide campaigns.
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer develops when cells in the breast tissue grow out of control, forming a tumor. These cancerous cells typically originate in the ducts (the tubes that carry milk to the nipple) or the lobules (the glands that produce milk). If left untreated, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body-a process known as metastasis.
There are different types of breast cancer, and they can grow at varying rates. Some may be aggressive and fast-spreading, while others develop more slowly. Understanding the nature of the disease is crucial to fighting it.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
The importance of early detection cannot be overstated. Breast cancer is most treatable in its early stages, yet many women overlook or are unaware of the early warning signs. The Africa Cancer Foundation have highlighted Some of the most common symptoms as:
- A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering in the skin of the breast
- A nipple turned inward into the breast
- Discharge (fluid) from the nipple, especially if it’s bloody
- Scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple,
or areola (the dark area of skin at the centre of the breast). The skin may have ridges or pitting so that it looks like the skin of an orange.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional immediately. Early detection saves lives, but only if we take action when the signs first appear.
Hope Through Action: Our Campaign
The above is why we are officially launching the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign titled Think Pink, Go Act on 11 October 2024. We refuse to let breast cancer continue to claim lives needlessly. Through this campaign, we are working to ensure that every woman in Kenya has access to early detection, timely treatment, and emotional support throughout her journey.
Here, we are actively raising funds to support women across the country who are fighting breast cancer, particularly in underserved communities. The money raised will also go towards supporting breast cancer patients, with the financial resources they need for treatment, whilst creating awareness and advocacy on the importance of early screening and detection for women not only locally but globally as well.
We believe there is hope. Early detection, proper treatment, and patient education are essential in the fight against breast cancer and this will come to life during the launch of our aforementioned breast cancer campaign a nationwide CSR initiative designed to raise awareness, provide support, and ultimately save lives.
Through this campaign, we aim to:
- Raise Funds: Every donation will directly support breast cancer patients in need of treatments, medications, and life-saving surgeries.
- Advocate for Free Screenings: We will fight for access to free breast cancer screenings, ensuring that no woman is left behind.
- Share Survivor Stories: Our campaign will also highlight personal stories from survivors and those who fought against the disease, offering inspiration and hope to many.
Our partners
We are proud to partner with KENCO, KEPSA, NCA (National Construction Authority), and The Hub Karen in the Think Pink, Go Act campaign. These partnerships are crucial in amplifying our efforts to combat breast cancer. KENCO is playing a pivotal role by providing access to breast cancer survivors, allowing us to connect with them and offer support. KEPSA and NCA are instrumental in supporting the Pink Run on 19 October 2024, helping to ensure its success by encouraging community participation and raising awareness.
The Hub Karen is sponsoring the campaign’s activities and creating an environment that fosters awareness, offering a space for our events and engaging the local community in the fight against breast cancer. These partners’ contributions go beyond logistics; they provide the essential resources, networks, and advocacy that will drive the success of this campaign.
Join Us in the Fight
In addition, this campaign will bring us together in the fight against breast cancer, with a month-long schedule of events and activities namely:
- Think pink, Go Act official launch on 11 October 2024 at the Hub Karen from 10:00AM-11:00AM.
- Cancer Foundation Visits: On 26 – 4 October 2024, where we’ll visit cancer foundations and particularly patients and survivors to learn about the challenges, and explore ways we can support the fight.
- The Pink Run: A Breast Cancer Awareness Run on 19 October 2024 starting and ending at the Hub Karen.
- The Pink Banquet on 31 October 2024 at the JW Marriott Hotel: A special evening attracting changemakers both locally and internationally to honour survivors, raise funds, and spread awareness on breast cancer.
The Price of Inaccessibility
In Kenya, 70% of women with breast cancer are diagnosed too late, and this late stage diagnosis often leads to death. Late-stage breast cancer accounts for the highest number of deaths, and the lack of proper medical care – due to poverty, geography, and the absence of healthcare infrastructure remains a key issue. This is where our mission becomes clear: we must bridge the gap between those who can access care and those who can’t.
On the same, we need your help to ensure that every woman in Kenya has the chance to fight breast cancer. By raising awareness, donating, and advocating for better healthcare access, we can create a future where every woman receives the care she deserves. Together, we can make a difference.
Stand with us. Support the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, and help us turn the tide against this deadly disease.
Think Pink, Go Act: Pamoja, Twaweza!
