Encomium
Founder of Genevieve Pink Ball Foundation and publisher of Genevieve magazine, Mrs. Betty Irabor is highly elated by the huge success of this year’s breast cancer awareness and fund-raising campaign.
In an interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, Mrs. Irabor confessed that the well-attended ball has really demonstrated the commitment of women and Nigerians at large to the cause.
She went to explain what informed the Genevieve Pink Ball as well as its achievement, so far. The 2014 edition of Genevieve Pink Ball held, Saturday, October, 18, 2014, at The Dorchester, Victoria Island, Lagos…
Congratulations on the success of the Saturday, October 18, 2014 Genevieve Pink Ball?
Thank you. We bless God for its huge success.
How did the event go?
It was great. All the anticipation and hard work by the Pink Ball Foundation team, The Bobby Taylor Company and other volunteers paid off.
Are you satisfied with the response of celebrities to the ball?
The celebrities played a big role in this 2014 Pink Ball. They supported us in our Run-Walk-Cycle Initiative to raise awareness for breast cancer and made that event a social media affair. We got all the buzz we needed for the walk. They turned out in all their glory for the ball itself. This is the first time generation of celebrities will be involved in the ball. They are very involved in the whole cancer awareness drive. Yes, I am satisfied with the response of the celebrities.
What was the highlight of Genevieve Pink Ball, 2014?
The highlight for me remains the fact that the Pink Ball has transformed into a foundation. The Genevieve Pink Ball Foundation aims to reduce deaths from breast cancer by providing breast cancer education, screening, counseling and treatment. The foundation also aims to empower individuals and communities to advocate for increased access to care, improved treatment modalities and increased funding for quality breast cancer research.
Being a breast cancer awareness/ fund raising campaign, would you say the good cause is getting the appropriate nod?
You can have a vision but without people buying into it, you stand no chance of success. The Nigerian society is very aware of our cause and over time has endorsed our effort. Remember, this is our third Pink Ball; and each event has lived up to its promise. This recent Pink Ball will even place us more into people’s consciousness as we begin to mobilize resources for breast cancer patients. It will be done in batches. 10 patients at a time and it continues as funds allow. There’s a lot of skepticism and doubts with the work but we promise to be transparent in all that we do. We shall call a press conference in a month to present beneficiaries of our 100 patient challenge. Our vision is to provide free breast cancer treatment to 100. It’s an ongoing initiative.
In what specific areas of need can more Nigerians participate or support this initiative?
We need funding. Every little donation helps.
Have they really been supportive?
We recognize that times are hard, especially as this is the year before elections. No, we haven’t received as much support as we would like but we are very optimistic that when the public sees our effort then they will be more encouraged to assist.
Are there organizations and individuals you would particularly commend or call out for their immense support to this cause?
No matter how laudable your dream is, you will always need partners and sponsors to make it a reality. For this, we would like to thank Access Bank whose I am W Initiative partnered us and supported us. We would like to thank Camay, from the stable of Procter and Gamble, Estee Lauder, the First Ladies – Her Excellencies of, Benue state, Mrs. Yemisi Suswams, Cross River state, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, Lagos state, Her Excellency Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, and former first lady of Bayelsa state, Mrs Alayingi Sylva – and all others who donated in kind and in cash. We would like to thank Moet and Chandon, House of Tara, Afromedia and Dorchester’s Ibidun Ighodalo. We would like to appreciate Lanre Da Silva and Ohimai Atafo for the catwalk.We commend and appreciate the Bobby Taylor Company. And definitely not forgetting my colleagues in the media.
What inspired your setting up a foundation for breast cancer as well as the Genevieve Pink Ball?
I was inspired by a passion to touch lives, to make a difference in any way that I can. Even though I realized that the fight against breast cancer is bigger than any one, I still feel that it is better to try to make my humble contribution, no matter how insignificant it may seem.I feel even more inspired by the feedback we are getting and the encouragement by the lives we have touched along the way. When you save the life of one woman, you save a generation who would otherwise be without a mother.
What’s symbolic about pink in this campaign against cancer?
In 1992, the late Mrs. Evelyn H. Lauder launched the Pink Ribbon, the universal symbol of breast health. Since then, the ribbon has been adopted as the official ribbon by breast cancer organisations. We are happy to say that Estee Lauder was represented at the ball.
Beautiful ladies indeed, turned out in stunning pink dresses at the ball. You sure did appreciate their elegant dress sense and glamour?
I’m happy to say the guests did not disappoint. They adhered to the dress code and came out in beautiful creations to honour a great cause. The dress code was All shades of Pink. Of course, there were those who chose to express themselves in different colours. We welcomed them too.
What has been the major achievement of Genevieve Pink Ball Foundation (GPF) so far?
Awareness, awareness and awareness. Early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer. One of our major achievements has been increasing awareness and encouraging women to immediately get even the most insignificant-seeming lump professionally checked.
Funding would always not be a tea party, how your team been going about it?
Funding is the most difficult task for any foundation, ours inclusive. We would like to use this platform to appeal to the public to please, donate towards the treatment of our 100 patients.
Are there other forthcoming cancer campaign initiatives other than the Genevieve Pink Ball?
Our effort is a continuous one and we intend to partner state first ladies, other NGOs to host practical breast cancer awareness workshops. Education is key. If more people are aware and take their well-being serious and cultivate better lifestyles, we would have less need for treatments which unfortunately, are traumatic physically and emotionally.
In what areas do you partner charitable organizations or agencies committed to the same cause?
There are hundreds of cancer patients out there who may be unknown to us. Working with other charities enables us identify and reach as many patients as possible; in particular the ones for whom treatment is a financial burden. We are currently working with COPE, SEBBECLY and others.
What is your ultimate dream for Genevieve Pink Ball Foundation?
My dream is to witness a society where all women are knowledgeable about breast cancer and have access to breast cancer screening, counseling and treatment. I would like to be able to say that in the long run, the Genevieve Pink Ball Foundation contributed to the reduction of breast cancer deaths in Nigeria.
-UCHE OLEHI
