First Ladies of various states and their respective Foundations have joined hands to form an alliance called First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC) to create awareness and tackle the deadly scourge. This is in commemoration of the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Pink October).
The ceremony which witnessed the unveiling of the FLAC logo also had the breast cancer awareness movie, Diamonds in the Sky, produced by filmmaker and actor, Femi Adebayo for Leah Foundation screened. Health officials from different foundations also held practical demonstrations on self-examination and advised women on the importance of early detection and treatment to individual life.
The First Ladies present include the wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu; Dr. Ibironke Sanwoolu of Lagos State; Erelu Bisi Fayemi of Ekiti State; Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed, former First lady of Kwara State; Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade,Cross Rivers state; Dr. Zainab Bagudu, Kebbi State; Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, Enugu State; Mrs Abimbola Fashola, former First Lady of Lagos State and her Ogun State counterpart, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun.
Other guests who attended include Joke Silva, Toyin Abraham, Binta Ayo Mogaji, Omowunmi Dada, Desmond Elliot, the Director of the movie, Kunle Afolayan, Producer, Femi Adebayo and Pastor (Mrs) Iluyomade.
In her remarks, the chief host, the wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibironke Sanwoolu said that cancer is responsible for over 72 per cent of deaths every year, thus the need to step up intervention drive. Hence, FLAC was conceived to scale up advocacy against cancer.
Leading her colleagues to unveil the FLAC logo, wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Anyawu-Akeredolu said: “Women most especially need to understand how cancer progresses over time and all hands must be on deck to spread the gospel that cancer no longer kills. According to her, women no longer need to die needlessly from the disease as awareness about screening can make it possible for a woman to detect it early.
In her comments, the First Lady of Niger State, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, noted that FLAC was conceived in 2017 to give voice to the cause, noting that part of its goal is to get government and individuals’ attention to fund cancer treatment.