MPAC Joins the Big War – MPAC Nigeria

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) is pleased to accept the invitation of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy Nigeria (CECP-Nigeria)* to be one of its valued partners in the Big War Against Cancer in Nigeria. Through the strategic partnership, MPAC will deploy its unique assets to work with other stakeholders to advocate and drive funding for the programmes of the committee in arresting the pace of the global epidemic in Nigeria.

WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST: 10 NIGERIANS DIE FROM CANCER EVERY HOUR

Every year over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer, and over 70,000 die from the disease. One in three of us will get some form of cancer at some point in our lives according to estimates. In the West there is an abundance of healthcare professionals, research, clinics and specialist equipment which means cancer mortality rates are much lower than in developing countries. While only 1% of cancer patients in developed countries die of untreated pains, a whopping 99% die in undeveloped countries, including Nigeria.

THE GRIM SITUATION

The Nigeria cancer death ratio of 7 in 10 is one of the worst in the whole world. Breast cancer now kills 40 Nigerians every day- 1 in 8 women will develop invasive cancer over the course of her lifetime. Cervical cancer which is virtually 100% preventable kills one woman every hour in Nigeria. Prostate cancer kills 26 Nigerian men every day. While we ponder over what delightful blessings we will receive in Ramadan, someone else will be wondering whether he/she will survive until Ramadan. Please make this Ramadan even more special for yourself knowing you gave HOPE to thousands of cancer victims.

HOPE

Yes, there is hope. While there is 27% survival rate in advanced stage, 98% of victims of breast cancer will survive if there is early detection. Getting early detection alone is a crucial element in winning the Big War.

BE PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL

CECP-Nigeria takes a number of approaches to addressing the scourge of cancer epidemic in Nigeria. One of these is the plan to procure and deploy 37 Mobile Cancer Centers (MCC)- one each for the 36 states in Nigeria, and Abuja to facilitate early detection and treatment. The aim of creating the MCC (each MCC costs $600,000.00) across the country is to make both diagnosis and treatment accessible to every Nigerian irrespective of social status, religion, or tribe. MCC is a clinic on wheels in which screening, follow-up and treatment (including surgeries), can take place. It includes facilities for mammography, sonology, colonoscopy, colposcopy and cryotherapy, as well as a surgical theatre.

As part of the National Cancer Week 2015** (JUNE 7 – JUNE 14), Friday June 12 was designated the day of “Rising Stars in War Against Cancer” for advocacy and fund raising. MPAC volunteers advocated for cancer awareness during the week, and encouraged donations towards the cause. ALL cancer designated donations received by MPAC was remitted to the CECP-Nigeria.

MPAC is joining the Big War to stand up to cancer and strengthen the campaign to defeat the global burden. You too can join by spreading the message and by making donations. Together, we should make the war against cancer BIG, TOTAL and MERCILESS.

“Good Health is a Crown Worn By the Healthy That Only the Sick Can See.”

(Saying attributed to Imam Shafi’i)

* The word Committee denotes the fact that the initiative is co- promoted by a number of bodies. These are six (6) of the core bodies of the Organized Private Sector in Nigeria, namely: the Institute of Directors (IoD), the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI), the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

** His Eminence, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar is the Royal Father of the National Cancer Week

See http://www.cecpng.org/ for more details.

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