The Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) has launched its 2025 Cancer Awareness Campaign in Abuja, celebrating 11 years of unwavering commitment to cancer prevention, early detection, and patient support across Nigeria.
Since its founding, the foundation has raised over ₦2.5 billion, which has been directed towards initiatives that promote early diagnosis, subsidized treatment, and public health advocacy.
Established by Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and former First Lady of Kebbi State, MCF has spearheaded programs such as the Patient Access to Care (PACE) Programme, Charity Corner, and Care Wheels. These initiatives provide free screenings, transportation, and treatment assistance for hundreds of patients from low-income backgrounds.
The foundation’s 11th Annual Cancer Awareness Campaign is slated for 25 October 2025 in Abuja. Under the theme “One Walk. One Fight. One Mission,” the event will feature a 5-kilometre advocacy walk, a Health and Wellness Village with free medical screenings, and a concert honoring cancer survivors. The First Lady of Imo State, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma, and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, are expected to lead the WalkAway Initiative, one of Nigeria’s largest awareness and fundraising walks.
Participants who purchase official walk kits will be entered into a raffle to win an iPhone 17, with all proceeds supporting cancer screening, treatment, and research. In a new move, MCF also announced a permanent 50 percent discount on advocacy, screening, and treatment services for persons with disabilities, aiming to encourage early diagnosis and improve health outcomes for this group.
Dr. Bagudu called on the Federal and State Governments, including the National Health Insurance Authority, to introduce similar subsidies for persons with disabilities. “This is not just a walk; it’s a movement of hope and solidarity,” she said. “We walk for those battling cancer, for survivors, and for a future where early detection saves more lives.”
Since its inception in 2014, MCF has worked closely with governments, local and international partners, and private organisations to strengthen Nigeria’s cancer control system through advocacy, research, and direct patient support.
