2025 ICCD: FG partners Akanimo to raise awareness on childhood cancer

As the world prepares to mark the 2025 International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD), the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with Akanimo Cancer Foundation is set to hold childhood cancer symposium aimed to raise awareness, provide treatment access, and support research for childhood cancer in Nigeria.

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako during a courtesy call at the weekend commended Akanimo Cancer Foundation for its tireless efforts, stating that the government has made a commitment to support every effort to increase survival for cancer patients.

He said the collaboration is the kind of grassroots help the country needs, adding: “Events like the symposium are very welcome, and we’re glad this is happening.”

Founder Akanimo Cancer Foundation, Barr. Mrs. Idara Ekanem, explained that driven by a personal experience of the loss of her son, “Akanimo Shayne Ekanem”, she has demonstrated remarkable tenacity in her quest to prevent other children from suffering the same fate.

“We are committed to continuing our work to raise awareness, provide treatment access, and support research for childhood cancer in Nigeria.

“We believe that every child deserves a chance to live a healthy and fulfilling life, and we will continue to fight for that chance,” she said.

She further explained that since its inception, the foundation has treated over 20 children and currently has 10 children under care in various hospitals across Nigeria, including Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University College Hospital (UCH), National Hospital, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

According to her, this year Akanimo Cancer Foundation’s expanded public walk and awareness campaign will continue in 6 cities – Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Ibadan, Uyo and Port-Harcourt.

She said this initiative, the first of its kind in the country, will bring together stakeholders from the public, private, and international healthcare spaces to brainstorm innovative solutions to tackle childhood cancer in Nigeria’s unique environment.