FUTOWA President, Dr. Mrs. Dozie Leads Pink October Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness

The wife of the Vice-Chancellor, and President of FUTO Women Association (FUTOWA), Dr. Mrs. Chinomso Patricia Dozie, has led a breast cancer awareness walk in Owerri under the auspices of her foundation, Heart and Roses Cancer Advocacy Foundation.

The walk, held on Saturday October 17, 2016 in commemoration of the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also marked the 3rd anniversary of the Foundation.

The Pink October Walk, which drew a mammoth crowd of enthusiastic volunteers, well-wishers, sponsors, staff and students of FUTO, and health enthusiasts, kicked off at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre (EIICC) Owerri, proceeded through Douglas Road, Emmanuel College Road, Wetheral Road, and terminated at the EIICC.

Dressed in pink, participants marched through the streets, displaying placards and flags with inscriptions such as “Nobody Fights Alone,” “More Than A Walk, It’s A Movement"; “Take Action, Get Checked,” and “More Than Pink, It’s A Lifestyle,” amidst music and solidarity chants.

Speaking to FUTONews, the Convener, Dr. Mrs. Dozie, who is a breast cancer survivor, recounted her personal experience, and emphasised that early detection and prompt medical follow-up remain key to winning the fight against cancer.

"When we talk about early detection, what we're trying to say is, let's catch the disease before it catches us", Dr Mrs Dozie admonished.

She expressed gratitude to participants and sponsors for their goodwill and support, urging them to sustain the advocacy and help others take action.

Also joining the walk in solidarity was the Vice-Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. I. N. S. Dozie, who lauded the initiative, noting that "the fight against cancer is a collective responsibility."

Other dignitaries present included the University Librarian, Dr. Mrs. Justina Ekere; a member of the FUTO Governing Council, Prof. Christopher Echerobia, among other professors of the University.

Members of FUTOWA turned out en masse in support of their President, adding colour and strength to the walk.

To celebrate its anniversary alongside the awareness campaign, the Foundation also sponsored free mammogram screening for 200 women, in collaboration with LabRad Diagnostics.