By Ralph Sesay
Orange Sierra Leone has joined other reputable institutions in the country to support efforts towards raising awareness, treatment and medication for Breast Cancer in the country.
Annie Wonie Katta, Head of Public Relations Orange Sierra Leone while delivering a statement at this year’s Freetown Half Marathon Race at the Family Kingdom, organized by Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation, disclosed that Orange Sierra Leone is not only concerned about providing reliable mobile services to Sierra Leoneans, but that it is also concerned about the health needs of the citizens of the country especially the threats breast cancer is posing to the country and the world as a whole.
The Public Relations Manager while presenting Orange support to Agnes Williams noted that it is their hope that one day threats surrounding cancer will be thoroughly managed and eradicated.
She stressed on the need for screening and early detection as a significant step towards combating the disease.
The Chief Executive, Thinking Pink Foundation while welcoming the blend of people of all walks of life that had converged at the Family Kingdom after the 21-kilometer Marathon from Haja Fatmata in the east of Freetown, thanked its partners, sponsors and all those that have contributed to making the 6th Edition of the National Freetown Half Marathon a success.
She added that the event held from the 1st to 31st October every year to raise awareness on breast cancer which, she described as ‘real and a killer disease’.
The Freetown Half Marathon, she disclosed, is  organized every year to also solicit funds for the treatment of patients.
WHO representative at the Marathon who spoke on Universal Health Coverage, congratulated each and every one that has participated in the Freetown Half Marathon including the sponsors, and noted that he was impressed with the blend of institutions that have gathered at the event, pointing out that this is very significant to making the desired change.
He lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Health,  Government and the people of Sierra Leone for making giant strides in promoting Universal Health Access.
Samuel S. Mansaray won this year’s marathon in the male category while Isatu Turay won the female category.
Representatives from AMNET Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Sierra Rutile Limited, Sierra Leone Medical Students’ Association, all made meaningful statements at the event stressing that early detection and screening is very significant in controlling the spread of cancer.
The Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation is engaged in raising nation-wide awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer; raise and solicit funds to support financially challenged patients of breast cancer with treatment costs and also advocates at state level for equal access to breast cancer healthcare facility and cost effective medication, amongst others.