The Okapi Cancer Foundation has called for greater awareness and early screening for childhood cancer, stressing that prompt detection and treatment are critical to improving outcomes for affected children.
The foundation made the call during the Okapi Children Cancer Walk 2026 in Abuja, an awareness initiative aimed at educating the public, mobilising support and raising resources for children living with cancer and their families.
Hope Tobi, a childhood cancer survivor affiliated with the foundation, described the walk as an encouraging experience for young patients and survivors.
“I feel very happy joining the walk because I walked with survivors like me and supporters,” Tobi said.
She said the event demonstrated to children battling cancer that they were not alone.
“The walk was exciting because in every step we make, there is hope for children, informing them they are not fighting alone,” she added.
The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the Okapi Cancer Foundation, commemorating a decade of advocacy and support for children affected by cancer.
Oluwakemi Adekanye, founder of the foundation, expressed optimism that the government would give greater priority to childhood cancer in the coming year.
“I understand that children will be included in the recent cancer health fund now, and we’re hoping that once that is implemented and put in place, there should be more progress and success for children with cancer,” Adekanye said.
She stressed the need for greater public knowledge of childhood cancer, particularly its warning signs and symptoms.
“So it is important as adults to be aware of what childhood cancer is, common signs and symptoms to look out for in childhood cancer, and that is why we do what we do,” she said.
“We want people to be aware of childhood cancer and how they can effectively support a child,” she added.
According to the foundation, more than 250 children living with cancer have received support through its programmes, while its awareness campaigns have reached thousands of students and community members across Nigeria.
Dr Ikenna Igbodika, a member of the foundation’s management team, said the organisation was taking its awareness campaign to communities at the grassroots.
“A lot of education is done when we bring people. Their coming here is an implication, and they are educated on what we are doing and begin to see the reality,” Igbodika said.
He said the foundation was committed to reaching underserved communities and involving more people in the fight against childhood cancer.
“We go into the grassroots, into the corners, to get people involved, and they say, ‘Oh, this is what these people do?’” he added.
