Polaris Bank Limited has reiterated its commitment to cancer awareness, early detection and support for patients as it partnered with WinCancer Foundation to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month through the foundation’s inaugural WinCancer Games in Lagos.
Held at the Whitesands School playground under the theme “Awareness to Action,” the event brought together participants for sporting activities, community engagement and fundraising aimed at promoting cancer education, encouraging early medical attention and supporting individuals and families affected by the disease.
Representing Polaris Bank at the event, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communications, said the bank’s social responsibility initiatives go beyond financial services to include programmes that improve lives and address pressing societal challenges.
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According to Bolarinwa, the bank measures its impact not only through financial performance but also through its contributions to communities and the positive changes its initiatives create.
He explained that Polaris Bank’s involvement in cancer advocacy and patient support builds on efforts inherited from its legacy institutions and remains an important part of its corporate social responsibility programmes.
Through its longstanding partnership with Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E), a non-governmental organisation focused on cancer awareness, Polaris Bank has supported breast cancer screening for more than 22,000 women.
The bank has also donated three breast cancer screening machines, including a mobile unit, sponsored treatment for more than 30 indigent cancer patients and provided support for survivors.
In 2026, the financial institution continued its interventions with plans targeting free breast cancer screening for 100 women and prostate cancer screening for 250 men aged 40 and above.
These initiatives reflect the bank’s efforts to improve access to screening, provide assistance to vulnerable patients and strengthen public understanding of cancer prevention and early detection.
Bolarinwa commended WinCancer Foundation for its contributions to cancer advocacy and patient welfare, noting that meaningful progress requires cooperation among corporate organisations, healthcare professionals, government agencies, advocacy groups, development partners and local communities.
He also highlighted the emotional, psychological and financial difficulties that often accompany a cancer diagnosis, stressing that patients and survivors need encouragement, dignity and consistent support alongside medical treatment.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to building on its existing community development programmes through partnerships that improve access to healthcare and support vulnerable members of society.
### WinCancer Foundation Expands Cancer Advocacy
WinCancer Foundation was founded by Olabisi Oladiran, a two-time breast cancer survivor, to address the challenges faced by people affected by cancer through awareness campaigns, early detection advocacy and patient support.
Although the foundation initially focused on breast cancer, its activities have expanded to cover ovarian, colon, blood and childhood cancers.
Its interventions include community education, food assistance for patients and their families, care packages containing essential medical supplies and referrals to partner hospitals for testing and further medical assessment.
The foundation also seeks to address the practical and emotional challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis by helping patients and their families access reliable information, appropriate medical care and a supportive community.
Speaking at the event, Oluwatumininu Adesioye, a trustee of WinCancer Foundation, said the initiative was designed to transform cancer awareness from public conversations into practical action.
She explained that the theme, “Awareness to Action,” encourages people to seek appropriate medical advice, pay attention to changes in their bodies, discuss early detection with loved ones and support individuals undergoing treatment.
Adesioye also noted that Oladiran’s personal experience with cancer diagnosis, treatment and the financial difficulties associated with the disease inspired the foundation’s efforts to assist others facing similar challenges.
She added that proceeds from the WinCancer Games, including ticket sales, donations and vendor participation, would help sustain the foundation’s patient support programmes.
### WinCancer Games Promotes Solidarity and Community Support
The inaugural WinCancer Games featured sporting activities, fundraising and community engagement designed to promote cancer education and encourage collective responsibility.
Four participating houses represented different cancer advocacy causes. Red House represented blood cancers, Blue House focused on colon cancer, Teal House represented ovarian cancer, while Gold House advocated for childhood cancer awareness.
The activities highlighted the importance of solidarity, resilience and community participation in supporting people affected by cancer.
Participants were also encouraged to take responsibility for their health by seeking medical attention when they notice unusual bodily changes and consulting qualified healthcare professionals about appropriate screening based on their age, medical history and individual risk factors.
For breast cancer, warning signs such as a new lump, changes in breast size or shape, skin changes or unusual nipple discharge should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Although such changes do not always indicate cancer, prompt medical evaluation can help determine the appropriate next steps.
The bank and the foundation emphasised that sustained cancer awareness requires informed conversations, timely medical assessment and access to appropriate screening services.
### Polaris Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Social Impact
Reiterating the bank’s position on corporate social responsibility, Bolarinwa said meaningful impact requires consistent efforts that improve lives over time rather than one-off interventions.
He encouraged individuals, families and communities to take cancer awareness seriously, seek professional medical advice when necessary and support those affected by the disease.
Bolarinwa also recognised the courage of cancer survivors, the dedication of healthcare professionals and the contributions of advocacy organisations working to improve cancer awareness and patient support across Nigeria.
Through its participation in the WinCancer Games and its existing cancer support initiatives, Polaris Bank continues to emphasise the importance of combining awareness with practical action, compassion and sustained collaboration to address the challenges associated with cancer.
