TINA DAVIES • January 9, 2023

Cancer UK-Salone Charity "WEAR IT PINK CAMPAIGN", in an effort to raise awareness on breast cancer.

WEAR IT PINK CAMPAIGN IN WALTHAM CROSS  UK

Cancer UK-Salone held a successful two days WEAR IT PINK CAMPAIGN (breast cancer awareness) on the 21-22 October. The was witnessed by dignitaries, Mayor of Broxbourne Cllr Seeby, the Sierra Leone High Commissioner to UK and Ireland H.E Prof Morie Manyeh, Sir Charles Walker CBE Member of Member of UK Parliament House of Commons, Councillors from Labour and Conservative Parties.
 
Day1. Funding raising and awareness raising at Barclays Bank Walthamcross, JP Wetherspoon and Danny’s hair Saloon. Danny’s Saloon specifically selected because of the number of black Women hairdressers and female clients as the disease incidents are comparatively low in black women as opposed to the white and Caucasian but high mortality rate in knack women due to late presentation, lack of knowledge and opportunities.
 
Day 2 The Mayor stated that Early detection saves lives and encouraging women to attend their screening appointment. Stating that Covid effects has significantly reduced cancer screening from 71.4% to 54% and innovate strategies of awareness raising like Cancer UK-SALONE’s will hopefully help to increase upstate.
 
He ended by saying this is a great initiative by CANCER UK-SALONE charity, bringing the services to the people especially that the world has gone digital.
 
H.E Manyeh mentioned the name of the charity UK-Salone has a link with Sierra Leone as Salone stands for Sierra Leone. As the High Commissioner representing the Government of Sierra Leone in the UK I am delighted to join this campaign.
 
There are similarities of engagement and services of popular cancer charities or organisations , both in the UK and Sierra Leone, breast, cervical and prostrate but the major difference is, due to screening as a preventative measures the mortality cases in the UK are low whilst Sierra Leone has 75% mortality due to lack of screening as a result, very late presentation.
 
He continued by stating that, he would like to commend CANCER UK- SALONE for this bold step to raise awareness on this disease that affects thousands of women every year and hope this intervention will improve on screening uptake. Early detection can massively increase the chances of survival which is why fantastic campaigns like this are so important.
Sir. Charles Walker, stated his delight to be in attendance, rained praises on the President of Cancer UK-Salone Ms. Tina Davies, OBE, OOR that his constituency doing wonderful things. He mentioned the high level dignitaries present we’re all down to her because of the energy and passion she has.
 
Mrs. Seeby, (mother of Mayor Seeby) a 91 old breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed 30 years ago encourage women to have their mammogram as that is how she was diagnosed as early detection saves lives.
 
The community members and shoppers were all delighted and engaged in the event as supported the fundraising by buying raffle tickets, making donations and picking up breast cancer information leaflets as the whole range were on display for people to pick up.
 
The President of Cancer UK-Salone Ms. Tina Davies, OBE, OOR thanked everyone on behalf of the board of trustees for attending and participating. She especially thanked the management of the Pavilion Shopping Centre for their support in providing the venue and their staff to support the event. She ended by stating, there are opportunities of twining with cities in Sierra Leone but that will be done bilaterally.
 
The highlight was at the end, all the dignities were involved in the cutting of a cake with CANCER UK-SALONE logo which was shared amongst everyone in the shopping Centre. 



view event via the Facebook link on page

https://fb.watch/hY4ie0ks7i/


By Augustine Thomas March 24, 2025
Diversity PROMS Stakeholders Group Photo (EAU25)
By TINA DAVIES September 6, 2024
Prostate Cancer Awareness Capacity Building for Healthcare Workers – 17th July 2024  On the 17th of July 2024, Cancer UK-Salone, in collaboration with the Western Area Urban Health Medical Team, organized a one-day workshop aimed at raising awareness of prostate cancer among healthcare workers. This crucial capacity-building initiative, attended by 20 healthcare workers from 20 primary health units, forms part of the broader Prostate Cancer SL Program launched by Cancer UK-Salone in November 2023. The program emphasizes early detection, education, and improved treatment outcomes for prostate cancer, which remains a significant health concern in Sierra Leone. Opening the Workshop The workshop kicked off with a warm and insightful address by the District Medical Officer, who stressed the importance of early detection and the vital role healthcare workers play in spreading awareness about prostate cancer. With healthcare workers at the frontline of patient care, their ability to recognize early signs and provide support is critical in combating the disease. The workshop was led by Professor Babatunde Duduyemi, a distinguished oncology pathologist, with support from Dr. Challe, a clinical oncologist with years of experience treating cancer patients in the region. Their combined expertise provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of prostate cancer, covering key topics such as: Signs and Symptoms: Identifying early warning signs, including urinary issues, discomfort, and other related symptoms that could point to prostate cancer. Compassionate Communication: The importance of delivering difficult diagnoses with empathy and guiding patients through their treatment journey with care and understanding. Genetics: Understanding the genetic predispositions to prostate cancer and how family history plays a role in assessing risk. Interactive and Practical Learning In addition to theoretical knowledge, participants engaged in practical assessment sessions. These hands-on exercises allowed healthcare workers to apply what they had learned in real-life scenarios, enhancing their confidence and competence in identifying and managing prostate cancer cases. The interactive nature of the training encouraged dialogue, shared experiences, and collaborative learning, ensuring that all participants could actively contribute and ask questions. Closing and Certificate Presentation The workshop concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, recognizing the dedication of the healthcare workers who participated. Leonoil, the sponsor of the event, graciously presented the certificates, symbolizing their commitment to supporting healthcare initiatives and cancer awareness programs in Sierra Leone. This one-day workshop is a crucial step in strengthening the healthcare system’s response to prostate cancer and ensuring that healthcare workers have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide early diagnosis and compassionate care to those affected. With the ongoing efforts of Cancer UK-Salone and its partners, Sierra Leone is moving closer to a future where prostate cancer is no longer a silent killer.
By TINA DAVIES September 6, 2024
On Saturday, 31 August 2024, Cancer UK-Salone made significant strides in prostate cancer awareness with a vital presentation by Dr. Len Gordon-Harris at the Western District Men’s Fellowship meeting. The event, held at Bethel Methodist Church in Wilberforce, was a pivotal moment in our ongoing Prostate Cancer SL Awareness Campaign, focusing on empowering men with knowledge about this prevalent health issue. The presentation was attended by 70 Black Men, all over 40 years of age, who form the high-risk demographic for prostate cancer. Dr. Gordon-Harris provided an in-depth look at prostate cancer, its symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of early detection. The attendees engaged in a thoughtful discussion, asking important questions about screening, treatment options, and lifestyle choices that could help mitigate their risk. Thanks to our partners, Prostate Cancer UK, we were able to distribute informative literature to the attendees, offering them valuable resources to take home and share with their communities. We are deeply grateful for Prostate Cancer UK’s continued support, which helps us spread awareness and reach those who need it most. This event is part of a broader initiative by Cancer UK-Salone to address the challenges Black Men face regarding prostate cancer. Statistics show that Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and often at a more advanced stage. This is why raising awareness in communities like ours is so critical. As we build momentum, we are excited to announce our upcoming awareness walk, “Waka fɔ wi man dɛn” This will be our first awareness walk, and it represents a collective step toward improving men’s health across Sierra Leone. The walk will bring people together to show solidarity and encourage men to know their family history, take charge of their health through regular check-ups and informed decision-making. Stay tuned for more details about “Waka fɔ wi man dɛn” in November in Freetown Sierra Leone and join us as we continue to raise awareness and support the men in our community.  Together, we can make a difference to close the care gap.
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