The Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF) has unveiled its 2025 Cancer Awareness Campaign in Abuja, marking 11 years of sustained efforts in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and patient support across Nigeria.

The foundation has raised more than ₦2.5 billion since its inception, channelled into programmes that enhance early detection, subsidised treatment, and public health advocacy.

Founded by Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, President-Elect of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and former First Lady of Kebbi State, MCF has pioneered initiatives including the Patient Access to Care (PACE) Programme, Charity Corner, and Care Wheels, providing free screenings, transportation, and treatment assistance for hundreds of low-income patients.

The foundation’s 11th Annual Cancer Awareness Campaign is scheduled for 25 October 2025 in Abuja. The event, themed “One Walk. One Fight. One Mission,” will feature a 5-kilometre advocacy walk, a Health and Wellness Village offering free medical screenings, and a concert celebrating 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 purchasing official walk kits will be entered into a raffle to win an iPhone 17, with proceeds directed towards cancer screening, treatment, and research. In a new initiative, MCF announced a permanent 50 percent discount on advocacy, screening, and treatment services for persons with disabilities, aimed at promoting early diagnosis and improving 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 establishment in 2014, MCF has collaborated with governments, local and international partners, and private organisations to strengthen Nigeria’s cancer control system, combining advocacy, research, and direct patient support.