LAGOS/Nigeria: The BRICON Foundation has urged cancer patients and survivors to embrace hope, pursue meaningful lives and seek support beyond diagnosis and treatment.
The call was made by the foundation’s Co-founder, Mrs Abigail Simon-Hart, during its 10th anniversary celebration at Eko Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday.
Simon-Hart, a breast cancer survivor who established the organisation with Dr Niyi Adekeye in 2016, said surviving cancer should open the door to renewed purpose and opportunities.
She emphasised the importance of emotional support and survivor networks in helping people regain confidence and rebuild their lives after treatment.
“Survivors need positive reinforcement and support structures to help them move forward after cancer,” she said.
According to her, BRICON was established to improve cancer care and assist patients and their families through awareness, access to treatment, financial assistance, education and advocacy.
She said the foundation’s work extended beyond medical interventions, citing its RISE programme, which provides grants to help survivors restart businesses and regain financial stability.
Simon-Hart added that BRICON supported children of cancer survivors with scholarships and provided food-bank donations and other forms of assistance to families in need.
She said the organisation’s interventions had helped reduce some of the financial and emotional difficulties experienced by women affected by cancer.
The co-founder said the anniversary celebration provided an opportunity for survivors to share their experiences, encourage one another and celebrate life.
More than 100 cancer survivors participated in the activities, she said, adding that they included survivors of breast, cervical, throat and colorectal cancers.
Simon-Hart, who disclosed that she was diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago, urged patients not to allow stigma or shame to prevent them from seeking medical assistance or discussing their experiences.
“Having cancer should not prevent anyone from continuing to live meaningfully. Cancer is not a death sentence; you have to speak out to get help on time,” she said.
She also expressed concern that some women delay seeking treatment because of fear, urging patients to obtain timely medical advice and follow appropriate treatment recommendations.
Adekeye, the foundation’s other co-founder, said BRICON had supported patients and survivors through screening, treatment, medication, surgery, education, training and micro-grants.
He said the organisation also recognised the impact of cancer on families and had introduced initiatives to support the spouses and children of patients.
Adekeye, whose father died of cancer, said the foundation’s training and mentoring programmes were designed to help survivors acquire skills and regain financial independence.
He disclosed that BRICON had distributed mastectomy bras and prostheses to more than 300 beneficiaries at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital in Ogun State.
The intervention, he said, formed part of activities marking the foundation’s 10th anniversary.
Adekeye estimated that the organisation had reached more than 1,000 people through its various programmes since inception.
He identified funding as a major challenge, noting that sustained resources were required to provide continuous support to cancer patients and survivors.
He commended individuals, institutions and organisations that had contributed to the foundation’s work over the years.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Iwalade Adeorimi, who said she had survived cancer twice, attended the anniversary celebration to express gratitude for life.
Adeorimi said BRICON had supported her during difficult periods, providing assistance even when she did not openly ask for help.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Akindele Ajoke, said the foundation had assisted her with tuition fees, financial support, emotional encouragement and regular welfare checks.
Ajoke urged people diagnosed with cancer not to withdraw from society because of stigma, stressing the importance of seeking support and continuing to live meaningfully.
Activities at the anniversary included vocational training, a fashion parade by survivors, competitions and recognition awards for donors and supporters of the foundation.
