Abia First Lady, Priscilla Otti, Donates N3.5 Million to Cancer Patients

In a heartfelt gesture aimed at supporting cancer patients in Abia State, Priscilla Otti, the First Lady of Abia, presented N3.5 million to assist underprivileged cancer patients with their treatment costs. The donation, which was made on the occasion of the 2024 World Cancer Day in Umuahia, the state capital, underscores the First Lady’s commitment to combating cancer and alleviating the financial burdens that come with the disease.

Mrs. Otti emphasized the strain that cancer treatment can place on families, which is why she felt compelled to help. “We understand the financial strain that cancer treatment can place on individuals and their families. That is why, as a symbol of our commitment, I will be presenting a donation of N3.5 million in the form of bank cheques to some identified, underprivileged patients today,” she stated.

The First Lady’s donation is intended to cover part of the patients’ treatment costs, offering them much-needed relief during their battle with cancer. Her remarks also highlighted the growing cancer crisis, noting that across Nigeria, nearly 28,000 cases of breast cancer and 14,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually, with alarming increases in prostate and colon cancer among men. She stressed that Abia State, like the rest of the country, has seen a rise in cancer cases and that early detection and prevention are key to addressing this growing health concern.

In her call to action, Mrs. Otti urged the public to unite in the fight against cancer, emphasizing the need for collective effort at all levels to reduce the impact of the disease. “This occasion symbolizes a call to robust action for every individual, family, and community to unite in the fight against cancer,” she declared.

The event was also supported by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, who described the occasion as “marking a milestone in the long-drawn fight against cancer, a relentless and ageless enemy of humanity.”

This donation by the First Lady is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare in Abia State, demonstrating her commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the state’s residents.