Polaris Bank Sponsors Free Breast Cancer Screenings for 250 Women in Nigeria
Polaris Bank is taking a vital step towards promoting women’s health by offering free breast cancer screenings to 250 women across Nigeria in honor of the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This initiative is part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness, encouraging early detection, and supporting breast cancer prevention efforts in the country.
Polaris Bank, in partnership with the Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E), has been at the forefront of breast cancer advocacy for over a decade. The collaboration has led to the screening of over 20,000 women and provided funding for breast cancer treatment, especially for those with limited access to healthcare. This year’s sponsorship reinforces the Bank’s mission to ensure more women, particularly from underserved communities, have the opportunity to detect breast cancer early, which is crucial for survival.
“As a responsible corporate organization, we understand the critical importance of early detection. Through this initiative, we are empowering women with access to life-saving screenings,” the bank said in a statement. Polaris Bank emphasized that its long-standing partnership with C.O.P.E. has been instrumental in making these services available to thousands of women.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to prevent avoidable deaths from diseases like cancer, Polaris Bank’s sponsorship reflects its commitment to reducing the incidence of breast cancer and improving health outcomes in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), early detection significantly increases survival rates and reduces the cost of treatment.
Polaris Bank’s contribution to the fight against breast cancer goes beyond screenings. Over the years, the Bank has sponsored treatment for more than 30 indigent cancer patients, donated advanced breast cancer screening machines, and organized awareness campaigns, including a 10-kilometer walk with 2,500 participants to spotlight breast cancer prevention.
In addition to these efforts, the Bank regularly hosts events to honor breast cancer survivors, providing platforms for survivors to share their stories, encourage others, and promote positivity. The annual event, *‘Celebrating Our Pink Heroes,’* has become a symbol of hope and resilience for breast cancer survivors, featuring wellness sessions, networking, and educational discussions.
In a bid to offer emotional and physical support, Polaris Bank also provided over 100 prosthetic bras to survivors and organized full spa and wellness outings for cancer survivors, reinforcing the bank’s holistic approach to breast cancer advocacy.
Polaris Bank’s support for breast cancer survivors and its investment in healthcare infrastructure, including part-financing the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital (MRCC), demonstrate its deep commitment to improving healthcare services in Nigeria.
Women interested in participating in this year’s free screenings are encouraged to register via the Polaris Bank website or visit the C.O.P.E. Center in Ikeja, Lagos. Screenings will take place on the third and fourth Saturdays of October, with additional sessions on the third Saturday of every other month.
With a track record of innovation and social responsibility, Polaris Bank continues to lead by example, fostering a healthier and more informed society through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
