LSC President Dr. Dawn Cooper Barnes wants awareness on cancer throughout the country
The Liberia Cancer Society in collaboration with the Filipino Community in Liberia has announced it first annual cycling event to create awareness on cancer.
In a statement, LCS president Dr. Dawn Cooper Barnes said many women diagnosed with cancer in Liberia do not survive because they seek medical attention late due to the lack of awareness on the disease.
She added that stigmatization, discrimination and illiteracy also hamper women’s decision and ability to seek medical advice.
“But when adequate awareness is created, women can have the courage to seek early treatment or detection to save their lives. Frankly speaking, cancer is on the increase in Liberia looking at raw data collected two years ago; therefore we are seeking sponsors, bike riders, joggers and walkers to participate in our campaign to
raise awareness. Funds raised from the cycling event will go to creating more awareness about the disease in Liberia and also use some to underwrite the cost for medication for low income cancer patients,” Dr. Barnes said.
According to Dr. Barnes, pre-registration for the event will begin on Friday at Sajji House Restaurant which comes with a t-shirt at a cost of US$20 dollars.
Dr. Barnes revealed that the run will begin and end at the Hilton Van Ee School on Broad Street just below the Ducor Palace Hotel.
Meanwhile, Dr. Barnes said since breast cancer is the major cause of death among women, the organization is working to bring a mammogram machine in the country.
She further said that with a mammogram machine more lives will be saved as breast cancer will be detected early.
“Not only that, the organization intends to provide health workers with appropriate skills and attitude to tackle breast cancer patients, including teaching ordinary women about self-breast examination,” she said.
Founded in 1977 and reactivated in 2012, LCS aims to create more awareness on cancer as well as educating the public on prevention and
purchasing equipment and medication.
She added that cancer is like any sickness, therefore early detection, diagnosis and treatment can save a life only when people have the properly knowledge.