By Foday Moriba Conteh
In extending a helping hand in order to save the life of a sixteen years old girl, Adama Kalokoh, who is suffering from breast cancer, Diaspora Focus, which is a media, development and humanitarian organization with a mandate to help less privileged children in the country has on Monday 1st June, 2021 donated the sum of Twenty Million Leones to the Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation in order to facilitate the treatment of Adama Kalokoh a breast cancer patient who is currently admitted at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown. The handing over ceremony took place at the Headquarter of Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation on Bathurst Street in Freetown.
Handing over the cheque to the Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation, the CEO of Diaspora Focus Organization, Dr. Emmanuel J.M. Stafford, said when he got the pathetic information from one of his staff, he thought it right that members of Diaspora Focus at home and aboard should give a helping hand in order to save the life of the sixteen years old girl of which he said members welcomed the initiative and contributed the said amount which they are presenting to the Foundation on behalf of Diaspora Focus.
Dr. Emmanuel J.M. Stafford expressed appreciation to members of Diaspora Focus (UK, Ireland, USA, Norway, Sierra Leone branches etc.) for their support towards saving the life of the sixteen years old Adama Kalokoh who came from a poor and deprived home.
He commended Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for their tireless efforts in changing perceptions and misinformation about cancer in the country.
He called on other individuals and organizations to follow their footprint in order to support Adama whom he said needs help at the moment.
Receiving the cheque, the Founder/CEO of Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation, Madam Cremelda Parkinson Pratt, expressed gratitude to Diaspora Focus for the laudable venture in supporting Adama Kalokoh, adding that they are very much pleased for such a wonderful support received so far.
She disclosed that the breast cancer surgery of Adama was done successfully and that she is responding to treatment positively at the Connaught Hospital.
Cremelda Parkinson Pratt revealed that her Foundation has been embarking on educating the public on Breast Cancer Awareness nationwide and to also teach the public about the importance of early detection, adding that they also provide support for women suffering from the disease through counseling, advocacy and financial support.
She pointed out that their mission is for every Sierra Leonean woman to be aware of her breast and gain access to affordable treatment and medication with a vision to raise awareness on breast cancer nationwide through education/sensitization of which she pointed out with the support received from Diaspora Focus such will definitely support their strides.
Madam Pratt called on other international organizations to emulate the good works of Diaspora Focus in helping young girls who are suffering from breast cancer. She also called on the Government to raise awareness about breast cancer across the country.
A member of Diaspora Focus, who also happens to be a medical doctor, Dr. Ramesh Pamnani, also noted that he had been following the due process to see that the breast cancer surgery of the young girl went on successfully. He extended appreciation to members of Diaspora Focus and Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for their great humanitarian support.
To climax the event the team visited Adama Kalokoh at the Connaught Hospital where the Human Resource Officer of Diaspora Focus, Madam Adama Bundu presented assorted food items with a cash token to the sixteen years old girl.
Adama Kalokoh, on her sick bed, extended appreciation to the general membership of Diaspora Focus Team both at home and abroad for their humanitarian gesture. She also commended the Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for the support the Foundation has been giving her from detection to the surgery.
“I want to thank God Almighty, the Diaspora Focus and Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation for this great support,” she expressed gratitude.
She said few days ago Diaspora Focus visited her and extended their love and courage. She also intimated that she is much better and thanked the Almighty God for a successful surgery.
