Dressed in Pink, they Rode for Cancer Awareness! View Photos from the Pink Ride Lagos Event by the Pink Pearl Foundation

Pink Pearl Foundation, a charity organisation on Saturday 12th October, 2013 in Alausa-Lagos flagged off its 3rd annual “Pink Ride Lagos” event with 40 professional cyclists made up of both male and female riders.

“Pink Ride Lagos” which is in commemoration of the annual October Cancer Awareness Month aims to create awareness about the increasing rate of breast cancer among women as well as encourage early detection and provide medical assistance for cancer patients.

Representing the First Lady of Lagos State, Abimbola Fashola was the wife of the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development – Rhoda Ayinde who called for adequate information as a tool in empowering women in the fight against breast cancer. Ayinde reiterates that Lagos state government through the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) will continue to support programmes on cancer by carrying out free screening, adding that knowing one’s status early and taking necessary precaution will help deal with the disease.

The ride attracted important dignitaries including the Wife of the Delta state Governor, Rolinjere Uduaghan, the Commissioner for Sports Delta State, Amaju Pinnick as well as Lagos state government functionaries. The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pink Pearl Foundation, Orode Ryan-Okpu, says the foundation has screened over 12, 000 women in Nigeria, South Africa and Cameroun and will continue to carry out more of such service to humanity annually.

During the screening, Vivian Mbaba, a General practitioner and a Consultant to Pink Pearl Foundation discloses that over 3 million people have breast cancer and about 5-8 people die from cancer every day in Nigeria.

Mrs Rhoda Ayinde flagging off the Ride.

L-R – Rhoda Ayinde (Representative of the First Lady of Lagos State), Orode Ryan-Okpu (CEO, Pink Pearl Foundation), Roli Uduaghan (First Lady, Delta State)

“The prevalence of breast cancer in Nigeria is quite high. Both men and women have breast cancer even though the men are in minority. The problem that we face most of the time is detection as most people see it more of spiritual problems and as such shun any lumps they might have noticed. We also encourage women to do a soft breast examination as the only way to detect breast cancer tumour and abnormality early”.

A major highlight of the event was the brief appearance by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola who spoke passionately about the importance of self-awareness to the riders and volunteers. He also agreed to be a Patron to the Foundation.

For more information, visit the Pink Pearl Foundation website, www.pinkpearlfoundation.com or follow us on Twitter: @PPF4Cancer
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