The Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF) has raised N45.18 million to support children battling cancer during its 2026/2027 intervention year, aimed at improving access to life-saving treatment and care.
The founder and Chief Volunteer of the foundation, Dr Kemi Adekanye, disclosed this at the presentation of its 2026 donations and awards ceremony in Abuja.
Adekanye said the amount raised surpassed the N39.56 million generated during the 2024/2025 intervention year, describing the achievement as a reflection of the generosity and commitment of donors, partners and volunteers.
She said 70 per cent of the funds, representing N31.62 million, had been allocated to direct childhood cancer treatment, while the remaining 30 per cent would support awareness campaigns, children’s programmes, school sensitisation, scholarships and other interventions.
“This fund represents hope for children fighting cancer and their families. Every donation brings us closer to ensuring that no child is denied treatment because of financial constraints,” she said.
According to her, the treatment fund will be distributed among the National Hospital Abuja (NHA), University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, and Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
She added that some of the funds would also support children receiving treatment in Lagos, Owerri and Zaria.
Adekanye said the foundation had so far conducted 288 childhood cancer interventions, trained 10,378 students, reached seven communities, engaged 54 schools and awarded five educational scholarships to cancer survivors.
She disclosed that during the 2025/2026 intervention year, the organisation provided N17.94 million in treatment support.
“We funded 69 treatment requests for 34 children, with 30 completing treatment, while the remaining are still on treatment or achieving remission,” she said.
She added that the foundation was committed to expanding access to treatment, strengthening sustainable funding and reaching more children diagnosed with cancer.
Also speaking, the Head of Management at OkapiCCF, Mr Gbenro Oladoja, said many children continued to die from cancer despite the availability of timely diagnosis, affordable treatment and accessible healthcare services that could significantly improve survival rates.
“Our mission is simple: to make sure that no child is left to fight cancer alone.
“Through your support, we walk with families, support treatment, raise awareness, and speak up for stronger healthcare policies for young patients,” he said.
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The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Shuaibu Belgore, called for sustained efforts to improve the lives of children battling cancer.
Belgore, represented by the ministry’s Director of Public Building, Mr Pemi Temitope, urged stakeholders to support efforts to improve healthcare access, noting that a healthy population was fundamental to social development.
A Paediatric Oncologist at UATH, Dr John Balogun, said support for children battling cancer offered hope and helped save lives.
He said helping a child survive cancer gave the youngster the opportunity to live for several more decades and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Similarly, the Head of the Paediatric Haematology Unit at FMC, Dr Ifeoma Ezeukwu-Orogade, said the foundation’s interventions had brought hope to children battling cancer and their families.
She described the organisation’s support as crucial to families, healthcare professionals and young patients in need of quality treatment.
The Senior Registrar, Haemato-oncology Unit, NHA, Dr Juliet Okpala, said many parents were overwhelmed by the high cost of treatment and financial constraints.
She commended the foundation for providing assistance whenever healthcare professionals reached out for support, adding that its interventions gave children another chance at life and renewed hope to their families.
