Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, in collaboration with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), has launched its 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, aiming to provide lifesaving screening, treatment, and education to over 5,000 women nationwide.
The campaign began on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with an eight-kilometre awareness walk in Freetown, starting at the Cotton Tree and concluding at Kallon Car Park on Aberdeen Beach. The event gathered healthcare professionals, survivors, government officials, Orange staff, SLCB employees, and community members to highlight the importance of early breast cancer detection.
At the launch, Orange Sierra Leone’s Chief Executive Officer, Madam Aïcha Touré, emphasised the goal of saving lives and ensuring women have access to timely diagnosis and treatment. “Every life matters, and every woman deserves the opportunity to detect breast cancer early and receive the care she needs,” she stated.
Touré mentioned that since 2015, the Orange Foundation has supported breast cancer awareness and treatment efforts across Sierra Leone, benefiting over 2,500 women in 2025 alone. The Foundation aims to double this impact by reaching underserved communities.
She encouraged women to have regular screenings and seek medical advice for any unusual changes, asserting that early detection is the best defence against the disease.
Professor Dr. Charles Senneh, Deputy Minister of Health, praised the Orange Foundation and its partners for their contribution to national healthcare. He stressed the importance of breast cancer screening and announced that the government is working on establishing a modern cancer treatment centre and expanding mammography services.
“Women’s health is everybody’s business,” he said, advocating for stronger collaboration among the government, private enterprises, healthcare providers, and development partners.
Dr. Isaac Olufemi Small, Head of the Oncology Unit at Connaught Hospital, remarked that breast cancer is highly treatable when detected early. He urged women to conduct regular self-examinations and to seek immediate medical help if any symptoms arise, reminding that men can also develop breast cancer.
Ibrahim Tito Sankoh, a manager at SLCB, reiterated the bank’s commitment to community wellbeing, encouraging women to prioritise their health check-ups.
For breast cancer survivors who participated in the walk, the event served as a powerful reminder that the disease is not a death sentence when detected and treated early. Their stories highlighted the campaign’s message of hope and the need for timely intervention.
As Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and SLCB embark on this ambitious campaign, thousands of women are expected to gain free access to screenings, treatment support, and vital health information, showcasing the potential of partnerships to save lives and ensure that no woman succumbs to breast cancer due to a lack of access to care.
