Celebrities join Zenera’s 5th anniversary cancer awareness walk
In celebration of its fifth-year anniversary, Zenera Consulting, with the support of Lakeshore Cancer Centre, Inspiration FM, Roding Healthcare Limited and Federal Road Safety Corps, organised a walk themed, Hope Beats Cancer, to show support for people fighting cancer as well as raise awareness on the importance of cancer screening and early detection.
Indoor Designs, Westbrand Nigeria, Strategic Effects and Garden Splash also supported it.
The 2.8-kilometre walk took place December 1, from Inspiration FM premises and terminated at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island. In attendance were popular Nollywood actor, Yomi Fash-Lanso; Ego Crooner, DJinee; TV host, Denrele Edun; music producer, Tee-Y Mix; singer and guitarist, Aramide; Mr Universe Nigeria 2018, Allison Nelson and lead pastor of The Elevation Church, Godman Akinlabi.
“As we clock five as an organisation, we found a way to use our edge in branding for a good cause, and cancer came as a valuable knowledge point for us considering the low level of awareness in Nigeria. What people don’t know is that there are four screen-able forms of cancer. You can do something about prostate, breast, colon and cervical cancer. When you detect them early enough, they are treatable and completely curable,” Meka Olowola, managing partner of Zenera Consulting, said.
WHO estimates that there is over 14 million new cancer cases every year, and 8.8 million cancer-related deaths worldwide. In Nigeria, several cases of death from various forms of cancer are recorded yearly. Unfortunately, there is no reliable data on the disease in the country due to poor health infrastructure.
Singer and songwriter, Aramide, said during the walk that she lost her uncle to cancer, saying, “My uncle died from cancer, and it was really painful. More than anything else, this walk organised by Zenera Consulting presents a good opportunity to actually show some support.”
She also advised that people take their health seriously, to have a fighting chance against cancer.
“If you feel anything strange in your body, go and get it checked out and take your health seriously, and whatever happens just keep hoping,” the two-time Headies Award winner said.
According to Akinlabi, the campaign attempts to raise the hopes of those living with cancer, their loved ones and everybody who dread cancer with the belief that the disease will be defeated.
As part of the awareness campaign, Zenera also organised a ‘message of hope’ copywriting contest on social media, which saw five winners walk home with N150,000.
MBATA JEREMIAH