... Bank renews cancer advocacy efforts through screening, treatment assistance and community partnerships
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| L-R: Olabisi Oladiran, Founder WinCancer Foundation; Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communications, Polaris Bank; Oluwatumininu Adesioye,Trustee WinCancer Foundation and Adaku S. Nwankwo, Digital PR Executive, Polaris Bank at the Inaugural WinCancer Games Event held at WhiteSands School Playing ground, Lekki Lagos to mark breast cancer month recently. |
Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to cancer awareness, early detection and patient support, highlighting its record of supporting breast cancer screening for more than 22,000 women through its collaboration with Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E).
The bank reiterated its commitment during its participation in the inaugural WinCancer Games, organised by WinCancer Foundation at Whitesands School playground in Lagos as part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Held under the theme “Awareness to Action,” the event used sporting activities, community engagement and fundraising to promote cancer education and encourage support for people living with the disease.
Speaking at the event, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communications at Polaris Bank, said the institution’s social impact efforts extended beyond financial services to initiatives addressing critical societal challenges.
“At Polaris Bank, we believe that the true measure of an institution goes beyond financial performance. It is also reflected in the lives we touch, the communities we support and the positive impact we create in society,” Bolarinwa said.
He noted that the bank’s cancer advocacy and patient assistance programmes had continued across its legacy institutions and remained part of its corporate social responsibility activities.
Through its longstanding partnership with C.O.P.E, Polaris Bank has supported breast cancer screening for more than 22,000 women, donated three breast cancer screening machines, including a mobile unit, and sponsored treatment for more than 30 indigent cancer patients. It has also supported cancer survivors.
In 2026, the bank continued its interventions with initiatives targeting free breast cancer screening for 100 women and prostate cancer screening for 250 men aged 40 and above.
Bolarinwa commended WinCancer Foundation for promoting cancer awareness and supporting affected individuals and families. He said meaningful progress required collaboration among businesses, healthcare professionals, government agencies, advocacy groups and communities.
He also highlighted the emotional, psychological and financial pressures associated with cancer, stressing that patients and survivors needed compassion and dependable support alongside medical care.
Founded by two-time breast cancer survivor Olabisi Oladiran, WinCancer Foundation works to promote cancer awareness, encourage early detection and support patients and their families. Its activities cover breast, ovarian, colon, blood and childhood cancers.
The foundation provides community education, food assistance, care packages containing essential medical supplies and referrals to partner hospitals for testing and further assessment.
Speaking on its behalf, trustee Oluwatumininu Adesioye said the WinCancer Games was designed to move advocacy beyond conversation and encourage practical action.
She explained that the theme urged people to seek appropriate medical advice, pay attention to changes in their bodies, discuss early detection with loved ones and support those undergoing treatment. Proceeds from ticket sales, donations and vendor participation contribute to the foundation’s patient support programmes.
The inaugural games featured four houses representing different cancer advocacy causes: Red House for blood cancers, Blue House for colon cancer, Teal House for ovarian cancer and Gold House for childhood cancer.
The activities brought participants together around messages of solidarity, resilience and collective responsibility in supporting people affected by cancer.
Polaris Bank reiterated that sustained partnerships and practical interventions were essential to strengthening cancer advocacy and improving access to support. Its participation in the games reinforced the importance of combining public awareness with screening access, patient assistance and community engagement.
