Orange Foundation and SLCB Launch Ambitious Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign to Reach 5,000 Women
Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, in partnership with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), has launched its 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness, Free Screening and Surgery Campaign, aiming to reach more than 5,000 women across the country with lifesaving screening, treatment, and education services.
The campaign was officially launched on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with an eight-kilometre awareness walk through the streets of Freetown. Starting at the Cotton Tree and ending at Kallon Car Park on Aberdeen Beach, the event brought together healthcare professionals, survivors, government officials, Orange employees, SLCB staff, and community members to raise awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection.
Speaking at the launch, Orange Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer Madam Aïcha Touré said the initiative focuses on saving lives and ensuring women have access to early diagnosis and treatment.
“Every life matters, and every woman deserves the opportunity to detect breast cancer early and receive the care she needs,” she said.
Touré noted that since 2015, the Orange Foundation has supported breast cancer awareness and treatment initiatives across Sierra Leone. More than 2,500 women benefited from screening services in 2025, and the Foundation now aims to double that impact by extending services to underserved communities.
She encouraged women to undergo regular screenings and seek medical attention if they notice any unusual changes, stressing that early detection remains the best defence against the disease.
Representing the Government of Sierra Leone, Deputy Minister of Health One, Professor Dr Charles Senneh, commended Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and its partners for supporting national healthcare efforts.
He emphasised that breast cancer screening is a critical component of preventive healthcare and revealed that the government is working toward establishing a modern cancer treatment centre while expanding mammography services to more parts of the country.
“Women’s health is everybody’s business,” he said, calling for stronger collaboration among government, private-sector institutions, healthcare providers, and development partners.
Adding a medical perspective, Dr Isaac Olufemi Small, Head of the Oncology Unit at Connaught Hospital, said breast cancer is highly treatable when detected early. He encouraged women to perform regular breast self-examinations and seek prompt medical attention whenever they notice unusual symptoms.
Dr Small also reminded the public that, although less common, men can develop breast cancer and should not hesitate to seek medical care if necessary.
On behalf of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Manager Ibrahim Tito Sankoh reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve the wellbeing of communities across the country.
“The participation of our staff today reflects Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s dedication to supporting causes that improve the lives of Sierra Leoneans,” he said, urging women to prioritise regular health check-ups.
For breast cancer survivors who joined the walk, the event served as a powerful reminder that breast cancer is not a death sentence when detected and treated early. Their stories of resilience underscored the campaign’s central message of hope, awareness, and timely intervention.
As Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank embark on their most ambitious breast cancer campaign yet, thousands of women are expected to gain access to free screenings, treatment support, and critical health information.
The initiative stands as a strong example of how partnerships between government, healthcare professionals, private-sector institutions, and communities can help save lives and ensure that no woman loses her life to breast cancer because she lacked access to information, screening, or timely treatment.