Project Pink Blue

Project Pink Blue started in 2013 as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) community development project,{{cite web|title=CHIEF EXECUTIVE/FOUNDER PROJECT PINK BLUE VISITS DAVID OMENUKOR FOUNDATION|url=http://www.davidomenukor.org/single-post/2016/05/07/CHIEF-EXECUTIVEFOUNDER-PROJECT-PINK-BLUE-VISITS-DAVID-OMENUKOR-FOUNDATION|website=davidomenukor|accessdate=19 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=Nigerian Youths and the Cancer Fight;a Project Pink Initiative..|url=http://www.shalliespurplebeehive.com/2014/03/nigerian-youths-and-cancer-fighta.html|website=www.shalliespurplebeehive.com|accessdate=19 December 2016}} known as Project Pink{{cite web|title=Project PINK BLUE Inspirational Story|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCRhbJSgf-M|website=YouTube|accessdate=19 December 2016|date=27 June 2014}} through which Runcie C. W. Chidebe, carried out a breast and cervical cancer awareness and screening{{cite web|title=Project PINK: Breast & Cervical Cancer Awareness & Free Screening by CHIDEBE, Runcie C.W.|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rvH6MiKdE0|website=YouTube|accessdate=19 December 2016|date=17 October 2013}} 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{{cite news|title=Mama Taraba Joins Annie Idibia, Toke Makinwa, Chidinma others in Walk Against Cancer|url=http://www.abusidiqu.com/mama-taraba-joins-annie-idibia-toke-makinwa-chidinma-others-in-walk-against-cancer/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=Abusidiqu|publisher=Abusidiqu|date=6 February 2016}} and celebrities like Korede Bello,{{cite news|last1=Everbeta|first1=Tega|title=Pink October Walk, Race And Cycling Against Cancer To Hold Saturday Oct 3rd In Lagos|url=http://omojuwa.com/2015/09/pink-october-walk-race-and-cycling-against-cancer-to-hold-saturday-oct-3rd-in-lagos/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=OMOJUWA.COM|publisher=Omojuwa|date=28 September 2015}} Chidinma Ekile,{{cite web|title=WCD: We Can. I Can.|url=http://www.worldcancerday.org/project-pink-blue|website=www.worldcancerday.org|publisher=World Cancer Day|accessdate=20 December 2016}} Oge Okoye, Annie Idibia,{{cite news|last1=Administrator|title=Photos: Project Pink Blue Initiative|url=http://lamodespot.com/photos-project-pink-blue-initiative-2016/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=lamodespot.com|publisher=La Monde|date=12 October 2016}} and others to bring the message about early dictation and treatment to limelight.

The organization has regularly organized World Cancer Day,{{cite news|last1=Onumah|first1=Chdio|title=World Cancer Day 2016: Join the Walk, Race & Cycle against cancer|url=http://www.chidoonumah.com/world-cancer-day-2016-join-the-walk-race-cycle-against-cancer-worldcancerday2016-projectpinkblue-wecanican-projectpinkblue/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=www.chidoonumah.com|publisher=Chido Onumah|date=27 January 2016}} International Breast Awareness Day popularly known as Pink October,{{cite news|title=Pink October walk, race, and cycling against cancer holds Saturday - Premium Times Nigeria|url=http://www.premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/naija-fashion/190828-pink-october-walk-race-and-cycling-against-cancer-holds-saturday.html|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=Premium Times Nigeria|publisher=Premium Times|date=30 September 2015}} Community outreaches, Global Day of Citizens Action,{{cite news|title=Global Day of Citizen Action: Shinkafi demands accountability from leaders|url=http://www.post-nigeria.com/global-day-of-citizen-action-shinkafi-demands-accountability-from-leaders/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=Post-Nigeria|publisher=Post Nigeria|date=18 May 2015}} Cancer Research. On 29 & 30 September, Project Pink Blue hosted Wiki Loves Women event in Abuja.

File:Stakeholders at World Cancer Day 2016 Commemoration event organized by Project PINK BLUE.jpg

In January 2015, Project Pink Blue sets up the first Nigerian Patients Navigation programme known as Breast Cancer Navigation and Palliative Programme{{cite news|title=Project PINK BLUE sets up Nigeria's first patient Navigation to fight cancer|url=http://www.chidoonumah.com/project-pink-blue-sets-up-nigerias-first-patient-navigation-to-fight-cancer/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=www.chidoonumah.com|publisher=Chido Onumah|date=17 June 2016}} (BCNPP).

Project Pink Blue organizes world cancer day every February for the past four years.{{cite news|last1=francis|first1=chinyere|title=Project Pink Blue commemorates World Cancer Day by Raising Awareness against Cancer & Supporting Patients - BellaNaija|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2018/02/world-cancer-day-pink-blue/|accessdate=24 February 2018|work=www.bellanaija.com|date=5 February 2018}} The event featured road walk, free cancer screening and symposium with dignitaries such as a veteran Nigerian broadcaster Sadiq Daba.{{cite news|last1=Daily|first1=Trust|title=World Cancer Day|url=https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/world-cancer-day-2018.html|accessdate=24 February 2018|publisher=Media Trust Limited|date=13 February 2018}}

On 2 December 2016, the organization launched the first Nigerian cancer toll-free line known as 08000CANCER or 08000226237.{{cite news|last1=Roy|first1=Dotun|title=Organisation Launches Nigeria's First Breast Cancer Patient Navigation and Toll-Free Telephone Centre|url=http://dotunroy.com/2016/12/01/organisation-launches-nigerias-first-breast-cancer-patient-navigation-and-toll-free-telephone-centre/|accessdate=20 December 2016|publisher=Dotunroy}}

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

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.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

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 is a health intervention focused on breaching the gap of awareness, education and screening for prostate cancer in Nigeria.{{cite web |last1=bellanaija |title=Project PINK BLUE & ACT Foundation roll out #MenOnBlue Initiative to Help Raise Awareness on the fight against Prostate Cancer |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2018/07/project-pink-blue-act-foundation-men-blue-prostate-cancer/ |website=bellanaija.com |publisher=© 2018 Bella Naija. |accessdate=23 December 2018|date=2018-07-16 }}

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.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204185703/https://www.businessdayonline.com/ngo-seeks-establishment-national-cancer-control-agency/ |title=NGO seeks establishment of National Cancer Control Agency |archive-date=4 Feb 2017 |url=https://www.businessdayonline.com/ngo-seeks-establishment-national-cancer-control-agency/}}

Project Pink Blue has directly impacted{{clarify|date=December 2016}} 1,235{{cite news|title=Join Annie Idibia, Esther Audu, Madu Moc & Others as they Lead the Walk Against Breast Cancer in the Pink October Walk|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2016/10/join-annie-idibia-esther-audu-madu-moc-others-as-they-lead-the-walk-against-breast-cancer-in-the-pink-october-walk-tomorrow-october-8th/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=BellaNaija|publisher=BellaNaija|date=7 October 2016}} women and men through screening and enlightened{{clarify|date=December 2016}} over a million{{cite web|title=Runcie C.W. Chidebe|url=https://www.ghdonline.org/users/runcie-cw-chidebe/|website=www.ghdonline.org|accessdate=20 December 2016}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Unah|first1=Linus|title='I thought cancer was a disease for the elderly': tackling Nigeria's 80% mortality rate|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/mar/20/nigeria-cancer-mortality-rate-addressed-ngo|accessdate=9 April 2017|publisher=The Guardian: Global health innovation - global development professionals network|date=20 March 2017}} 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.{{cite news|last1=Ayodamola|first1=Owoseye|title=NHIS to expand access to affordable cancer treatment – Official|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/251018-nhis-to-expand-access-to-affordable-cancer-treatment-official.html|accessdate=28 December 2017|agency=Premium Times|publisher=Premium Times|date=November 29, 2017}}

• Nelson Mandela-Graca Machel Innovation Award, 2014{{cite web|title=Runcie C.W. Chidebe|url=https://www.ghdonline.org/users/runcie-cw-chidebe/|website=www.ghdonline.org|accessdate=20 December 2016}}
• SPARC{{cite web|title=Grants|url=http://www.uicc.org/programmes/global-education-and-training-initiative/sparc-grants/sparc-awardees|website=www.uicc.org|publisher=UICC|accessdate=20 December 2016}} MBC Challenge Award,{{cite news|title=Join Annie Idibia, Esther Audu, Madu Moc & Others as they Lead the Walk Against Breast Cancer in the Pink October Walk|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2016/10/join-annie-idibia-esther-audu-madu-moc-others-as-they-lead-the-walk-against-breast-cancer-in-the-pink-october-walk-tomorrow-october-8th/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=BellaNaija|publisher=Bella Naija|date=7 October 2017}} Lisbon Portugal

The organization has partnered with:

• Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria{{cite news|title=Breast Cancer: NGO trains 42 nurses, others, launches toll free centre|url=http://www.authorityngr.com/2016/12/Breast-Cancer--NGO-trains-42-nurses-others-launches-toll-free-centre/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=www.authorityngr.com|date=8 December 2016}}
• Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
• Pfizer Oncology
• Dana Airline
• Premium Times
• Africa Independent Television
• U.S. Embassy in Nigeria{{cite news|title=Breast Cancer: NGO trains 42 nurses, others, launches toll free centre|url=http://www.authorityngr.com/2016/12/Breast-Cancer--NGO-trains-42-nurses-others-launches-toll-free-centre/|accessdate=20 December 2016|work=www.authorityngr.com|publisher=Authority|date=8 December 2016}}
• Jumia{{cite web|title=Jumia partners with Project Pink Blue for Breast Cancer Awareness Month|url=https://blog.jumia.com.ng/jumia-partners-with-project-pink-blue-for-breast-cancer-awareness-month/|website=Jumia Lounge|accessdate=20 December 2016|date=10 October 2016}}
• ACT Foundation
• farmpays

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.

{{Reflist}}

• [https://projectpinkblue.org/ Official website]

{{authority control}}

Category:Cancer organizations

Category:International medical and health organizations