Project Pink Blue

Project Pink Blue, registered as Health & Psychological Trust Centre is a cancer nonprofit engaged in raising cancer awareness, patient navigation, advocacy and free breast and cervical cancer screening for women living in poverty. The organization launched Nigeria's first patient navigation in 2015 and a toll- free telephone centre 08000CANCER in 2016 [1] Project PINK BLUE won the SPARC Metastatic Breast Cancer challenge grant by Union for International Cancer Control and Pfizer Oncology in Lisbon, Portugal.[2][3]

Project Pink Blue
FoundedStarted as a NYSC community development project in 2013 by Runcie C. W. Chidebe in Abuja
TypeNon-profit
NGO
HeadquartersAbuja, Nigeria
Location
ServicesCancer Awareness, Free Cancer Screenings, Patient Navigation, Palliative Care and Advocacy.
FieldsHealth care.
Runcie C.W Chidebe
Websiteprojectpinkblue.org

History

Project Pink Blue started in 2013 as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) community development project,[4][5] known as Project Pink[6] through which Runcie C. W. Chidebe, carried out a breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening[7] for 165 women in Kabusa community, a suburb of Abuja. In 2014, the organization included prostate cancer on her mandate and became known as Project Pink Blue, and was incorporated with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) of Nigeria.

The organization has frequently used public figures[8] and celebrities like Korede Bello,[9] Chidinma Ekile,[10] Oge Okoye, Annie Idibia,[11] and others to bring the message about early dictation and treatment to limelight.

Activities

The organization has regularly organized World Cancer Day,[12] International Breast Awareness Day popularly known as Pink October,[13] Community outreaches, Global Day of Citizens Action,[14] Cancer Research. On 29 & 30 September, Project Pink Blue hosted Wiki Loves Women event in Abuja.

Stakeholders at World Cancer Day 2016 Commemoration event organized by Project PINK BLUE

BCNPP

In January 2015, Project Pink Blue sets up the first Nigerian Patients Navigation programme known as Breast Cancer Navigation and Palliative Programme[15] (BCNPP).

World cancer day

Project Pink Blue organizes world cancer day every February for the past four years.[16] The event featured road walk, free cancer screening and symposium with dignitaries such as a veteran Nigerian broadcaster Sadiq Daba.[17]

08000CANCER

On 2 December 2016, the organization launched the first Nigerian cancer toll-free line known as 08000CANCER or 08000226237.[18]

Runcie C.W. Chidebe at Project PINK BLUE Free Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening & Awareness, Kuje, Abuja (6)

Abuja Breast Cancer Support Group

Project PINK BLUE chose the occasion of World Cancer Day to launch the Abuja Breast Cancer Support Group - the city's first patient support group. The milestone achievement was commemorated with a medal-giving ceremony for breast cancer survivors attended by leaders from the cancer control community as well as His Royal Majesty Dr. Kabiru Musa, the Emir of Azara.

Upgrade Oncology

Project PINK BLUE launched the Upgrade Oncology programme during the 2018 World Cancer Day activities. The Upgrade Oncology is a capacity development program focused on improving cancer treatment and care through the provision of medical oncology training, update/top-up trainings, development of medical oncology curriculum, review and domestication of the treatment guidelines for better cancer care in Nigeria.

Men on Blue

Men on Blue is a health intervention focused on breaching the gap of awareness, education and screening for prostate cancer in Nigeria.[19]

Advocacy

Project PINK BLUE also used the Day to call on the Federal government to set up a national agency for cancer control, urging decision-makers to make cancer control a national health priority.[20]

Project Pink Blue has directly impacted 1,235[21] women and men through screening and enlightened over a million[22] people in Africa through Radio, Television and Social Media campaign. Besides awareness campaigns, the group supports cancer patients through fundraising. It was through one such fundraising event that the NGO raised around 5.5m naira (£14,000) in cash and 9m naira in drug support to enable Comfort Oyayi Daniel to have her chemotherapy when her savings ran out.[23] In November 2017, the nonprofit led some breast cancer patients and survivors to Nigeria's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to advocate for the expansion of insurance coverage for cancer drugs and services.[24]

Grants and awards
  • Nelson Mandela-Graca Machel Innovation Award, 2014[25]
  • SPARC[26] MBC Challenge Award,[27] Lisbon Portugal

Partnerships

The organization has partnered with:

  • Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria[28]
  • Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
  • Pfizer Oncology
  • Dana Airline
  • Premium Times
  • Africa Independent Television
  • U.S. Embassy in Nigeria[29]
  • Jumia[30]
  • ACT Foundation
  • farmpays

Affiliations

Project Pink Blue is a member of Union for International Cancer Control, Geneva, Switzerland; partner to Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria; voting member, CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Johannesburg, South Africa; Member of the World Health Organization's Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health.

References
  1. Hassan, Zagi (8 December 2016). "Breast Cancer: NGO trains 42 nurses, others, launches toll free centre". www.authorityngr.com. Authority. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  2. "SPARC grant awardees - Meet Runcie from Nigeria". www.uicc.org. UICC. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  3. "UICC and Pfizer award 20 grants totaling $760,000 to address the needs of metastatic breast cancer patients worldwide | UICC". www.uicc.org. Union for International Cancer Control(UICC). Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  4. "CHIEF EXECUTIVE/FOUNDER PROJECT PINK BLUE VISITS DAVID OMENUKOR FOUNDATION". davidomenukor. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  5. "Nigerian Youths and the Cancer Fight;a Project Pink Initiative." www.shalliespurplebeehive.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. "Project PINK BLUE Inspirational Story". YouTube. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  7. "Project PINK: Breast & Cervical Cancer Awareness & Free Screening by CHIDEBE, Runcie C.W." YouTube. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  8. "Mama Taraba Joins Annie Idibia, Toke Makinwa, Chidinma others in Walk Against Cancer". Abusidiqu. Abusidiqu. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  9. Everbeta, Tega (28 September 2015). "Pink October Walk, Race And Cycling Against Cancer To Hold Saturday Oct 3rd In Lagos". OMOJUWA.COM. Omojuwa. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  10. "WCD: We Can. I Can". www.worldcancerday.org. World Cancer Day. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  11. Administrator (12 October 2016). "Photos: Project Pink Blue Initiative". lamodespot.com. La Monde. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  12. Onumah, Chdio (27 January 2016). "World Cancer Day 2016: Join the Walk, Race & Cycle against cancer". www.chidoonumah.com. Chido Onumah. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  13. "Pink October walk, race, and cycling against cancer holds Saturday - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. Premium Times. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  14. "Global Day of Citizen Action: Shinkafi demands accountability from leaders". Post-Nigeria. Post Nigeria. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  15. "Project PINK BLUE sets up Nigeria's first patient Navigation to fight cancer". www.chidoonumah.com. Chido Onumah. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  16. francis, chinyere (5 February 2018). "Project Pink Blue commemorates World Cancer Day by Raising Awareness against Cancer & Supporting Patients - BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  17. Daily, Trust (13 February 2018). "World Cancer Day". Media Trust Limited. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  18. Roy, Dotun. "Organisation Launches Nigeria's First Breast Cancer Patient Navigation and Toll-Free Telephone Centre". Dotunroy. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  19. bellanaija (16 July 2018). "Project PINK BLUE & ACT Foundation roll out #MenOnBlue Initiative to Help Raise Awareness on the fight against Prostate Cancer". bellanaija.com. © 2018 Bella Naija. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  20. "NGO seeks establishment of National Cancer Control Agency". Archived from the original on 4 February 2017.
  21. "Join Annie Idibia, Esther Audu, Madu Moc & Others as they Lead the Walk Against Breast Cancer in the Pink October Walk". BellaNaija. BellaNaija. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  22. "Runcie C.W. Chidebe". www.ghdonline.org. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  23. Unah, Linus (20 March 2017). "'I thought cancer was a disease for the elderly': tackling Nigeria's 80% mortality rate". The Guardian: Global health innovation - global development professionals network. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  24. Ayodamola, Owoseye (29 November 2017). "NHIS to expand access to affordable cancer treatment – Official". Premium Times. Premium Times. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  25. "Runcie C.W. Chidebe". www.ghdonline.org. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  26. "Grants". www.uicc.org. UICC. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  27. "Join Annie Idibia, Esther Audu, Madu Moc & Others as they Lead the Walk Against Breast Cancer in the Pink October Walk". BellaNaija. Bella Naija. 7 October 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  28. "Breast Cancer: NGO trains 42 nurses, others, launches toll free centre". www.authorityngr.com. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  29. "Breast Cancer: NGO trains 42 nurses, others, launches toll free centre". www.authorityngr.com. Authority. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  30. "Jumia partners with Project Pink Blue for Breast Cancer Awareness Month". Jumia Lounge. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
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