The Benue Breast Cancer Support Initiative (BBCSI) will mark its 10th anniversary with a series of activities aimed at raising awareness, promoting early detection and strengthening support for breast cancer patients and survivors.
The week-long celebration, themed “Decade of Impact,” will run from October 13 to 18, 2026, featuring advocacy visits, community outreach, a friendly football match and a gala night.
Founded in 2016 by Prof. (Emerita) Stevina Evuleocha-Ugbah, BBCSI has spent the past decade promoting breast health awareness, supporting patients and survivors, and advocating improved access to cancer care in Benue State.
“This anniversary is more than a celebration of ten years; it is a celebration of lives touched, families supported, survivors empowered, and communities reached with the message that early detection can save lives,” Prof. Evuleocha-Ugbah said.
Activities will begin on Tuesday, October 13, with a visit to the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, followed by a visit to the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, on Wednesday. The team will visit Hearts & Minds Learning Centre, Makurdi, on Thursday, before taking its awareness campaign to IDPs Camp 1, Daudu, on Friday, October 16.
A friendly football match between BBCSI and Medical Women is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at 8 a.m., followed by a gala night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The anniversary programme will end with a thanksgiving service at NKST High Level on Sunday, October 18, at 7:30 a.m.
The Initiative is using the anniversary to renew calls for increased investment in breast cancer awareness, early detection, timely diagnosis, treatment access and psychosocial support for patients and survivors.
It also urged women and men to stay informed about breast health and seek medical advice when they notice concerning changes.
BBCSI acknowledged the contributions of survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, volunteers, donors, government agencies and community partners to its work, pledging to strengthen collaboration as it enters its second decade.
The organisation is a nonprofit community-based initiative dedicated to breast cancer awareness, advocacy, patient support and community engagement.
