Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading digital retail commercial bank, has announced the sponsorship of free breast cancer screenings for 250 Nigerian women in commemoration of the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This initiative underscores Polaris Bank's unwavering commitment to women's health and is part of the Bank’s long-standing efforts to support breast cancer awareness, behavioral change, advocacy, and prevention in Nigeria.
For over a decade, working with its NGO partner, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E.), Polaris Bank has been a leader in breast cancer advocacy, behavioral change communication, funding support, aeening of more than 20,000 women across the country. This year’s sponsorship further supports the Bank's mission to ensure that more women, particularly those with limited access to healthcare, have the opportunity for early detection, which is vital for successful treatment and survival.
“Breast cancer continues to pose a significant threat to women, not just in Nigeria but globally. As a responsible corporate organization, we understand the importance of early detection, and we are committed to empowering women with access to this life-saving screening. Our partnership with C.O.P.E. is integral to making this service accessible to more women,” the Bank stated.
Aligned with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which focuses on preventing needless suffering from preventable diseases and premature death, Polaris Bank is taking a crucial step by funding free breast cancer screenings for women in underserved regions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), early detection of breast cancer increases survival rates and reduces treatment costs, making Polaris Bank’s initiative a vital contribution toward improving health outcomes and reducing breast cancer-related mortality in Nigeria.
This year's screening program reflects Polaris Bank’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda, which focuses on key areas like health, education, youth and women empowerment, and community development. The Bank has consistently invested in causes that positively impact the lives of Nigerians, and this screening effort is yet another testament to its commitment to improving public health.
In addition to the screenings, the Bank continues to champion breast cancer awareness through education, advocacy, behavioral change, and outreach, encouraging women to engage in regular self-examinations and seek medical attention promptly. This holistic approach to advocacy aims to build a healthier society where early detection becomes the norm.
The 2024 free screening intervention marks another milestone in the fight against breast cancer, as the Bank remains at the forefront of efforts to combat the disease, ensuring that Nigerian women have access to the critical health resources they need.
Over the past decade, Polaris Bank’s footprint in the fight against cancer in Nigeria has been described as phenomenal. In collaboration with the Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E.) Foundation, Polaris Bank has sponsored treatment for over 30 indigent cancer patients and provided free breast cancer screenings for over 20,000 women, including its female staff and customers. The Bank has also donated three state-of-the-art breast cancer screening machines, improving the quality of diagnosis and clinical practices nationwide. To further raise awareness, Polaris Bank organized a 10-kilometer walk with over 2,500 participants to draw attention to the breast cancer crisis.
As part of its ongoing commitment to health awareness and community support, the Bank previously organized an impactful event for breast cancer survivors themed ‘Celebrating Our Pink Heroes’ at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The event brought together over 50 survivors and featured music, networking, and educational sessions. A similar event was held last year in Ikoyi, where another 50 breast cancer survivors were treated to a full spa and wellness session, including sauna baths, manicures, pedicures, healthy meals, and experience-sharing sessions.
These events provided meaningful platforms for survivors to share their experiences, raise awareness about breast cancer survival techniques, and encourage positivity within their community. The initiative also sought to demystify myths and reduce the stigma associated with cancer, reinforcing Polaris Bank's dedication to social responsibility and health advocacy.
In 2019, Polaris Bank made life more beautiful for breast cancer survivors by presenting over 100 units of prosthetic bras to cancer survivors registered under the Bank’s NGO partner @copebcnigeria (C.O.P.E.).
In addition, Polaris Bank part-financed the establishment of arguably sub-Saharan Africa’s best cancer hospital, the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital (MRCC).
Overall, the Bank's initiatives reflect its dedication to responsible business practices, integrating social and environmental considerations into its operations to ensure a net positive impact on society and the environment.
Women interested in taking part in the free screening exercise should visit our website, follow us on social media (@polarisbankltd), or click the link below for more information and registration details: https://www.polarisbanklimited.com/breast-cancer-screening-2024/. Screenings will be held on the third and fourth Saturdays of October 2024 and every third Saturday of subsequent months at the C.O.P.E. Center, 39B, Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2023, 2022, and 2021 at Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.