By JKNewsMedia
THREE DECADES of sustained breast cancer awareness, early detection services and survivor support formed the focus of the 30th anniversary celebration of the Care. Organization. Public. Enlightenment (C.O.P.E) as the organisation convened healthcare professionals, survivors, donors and corporate partners at a commemorative ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The gathering highlighted C.O.P.E’s evolution from a small awareness effort into a national movement, with Polaris Bank leading its long-standing network of supporters.
The event opened with reflections from Emeritus Professor Osato Giwa Osagie, Chairman of the organisation’s Board of Trustees, who recounted his first meeting with C.O.P.E’s Founder, Mrs. Ebunola Anozie.
He described her as “a persuasive and passionate woman whose vision has changed the narrative of breast health in Nigeria,” noting that the organisation’s work had grown steadily over the years.
According to him, C.O.P.E now provides free monthly breast screenings, prosthetic bras and financial support for women requiring assistance, forming a structured system of help for individuals in vulnerable situations.
Professor Giwa Osagie highlighted notable improvements observed in breast cancer survival rates in the last decade, attributing the development to better awareness, timely detection and consistent education.
He stated that the organisation had taken additional steps by importing breast supplements specifically designed for women who have undergone mastectomy.
These supplements, he said, are available at the C.O.P.E Centre to help women regain confidence and improve comfort.
He added that the organisation’s next milestone is the establishment of a permanent C.O.P.E Centre equipped with a screening unit, conference hall and residential facility for women undergoing treatment or recovery.
In her remarks, Mrs Ebunola Anozie, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of C.O.P.E, traced the origins of the organisation to personal loss, explaining that the experience became the catalyst for a sustained advocacy mission.
She said what began as a modest awareness campaign in 1995 had grown into a national platform that had educated millions of Nigerians while delivering lifesaving early detection services to thousands of women.
She stressed that the organisation’s future depends on building a permanent home where women can consistently access screening, counselling and supportive care.
She expressed appreciation to Polaris Bank and other corporate partners, stating that their contributions had ensured the continuity of the organisation’s mission through varying economic conditions.
A central moment in the event came from the testimony of Mrs Agatha Obi, a breast cancer survivor who encountered the organisation during her treatment journey.
She recalled being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and being informed that she would require a mastectomy.
The news, she said, was overwhelming, but she found strength after connecting with C.O.P.E.
She described the organisation as a source of courage, community and hope at a time when she faced uncertainty.
She noted that thirteen years after her diagnosis, she remains alive and thriving, crediting the support she received from C.O.P.E during her treatment and recovery.
Representing the Managing Director of Polaris Bank, Mrs Bukola Oluyadi delivered a goodwill message reaffirming the Bank’s continued partnership with the organisation.
She said Polaris Bank is “deeply proud to stand beside an organisation whose work embodies compassion, resilience, and impact.”
In her address, she commended C.O.P.E for reaching three decades of dedicated service, describing the achievement as a testament to the organisation’s commitment to awareness, early detection and sustained care.
She noted that the Bank remains committed to the fight against breast cancer and will continue to support advocacy initiatives that empower women, strengthen families and enhance community wellbeing.
Mrs Oluyadi praised the C.O.P.E team for its ongoing work in public enlightenment and for creating access to essential health information and services.
She emphasised that the Bank values partnerships that improve lives and promote national wellbeing, pledging that Polaris Bank would remain a reliable ally in initiatives that provide support to women and advance public health education.
The anniversary celebration concluded with commitments from donors and partners who pledged support for the organisation’s vision of establishing a permanent C.O.P.E Centre.
According to the organisation, the proposed facility will serve as a dedicated hub for screenings, education, counselling and accommodation for women undergoing treatment or recovery.
Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a significant step toward expanding access to care for women across Nigeria.
