HOLDS FIRST BREAST CANCER AWARENESS EXHIBITION IN WEST AFRICA
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| YETUNDE BABAEKO |
Leading photographer Yetunde Babaeko and X-perspective,
a group of female photographers launched a first of a kind photo exhibition to
the delight of guests who converged at Goethe Institute, Onikan on the 8th of
March, 2014 to create awareness for breast cancer.
The exhibition drew guests ranging from photographers
to art and health enthusiasts and the general public. The event commenced with
a one-minute silence for Pa J.D Okhai Ojekere a legendary photographer who was
buried on the same day. Yetunde Babaeko opened the event with a speech on her idea
behind X-perspective initiative and the exhibition.
Mrs. Clementina Ometu, a representative of Sebeccly Cancer
Care educated guests on breast cancer and the importance of early detection,
which can help reduce the outbreak in the country. This will enlighten the
members of the public and potentially reduce stigma in the society.
Photos showcased were taken by a group of independent
female photographers known as X-perspective led by leading photographer Yetunde
Babaeko who are driven by the collective goal of “making a lasting impact
through the lens of a camera”. Photos from six photographers were showcased,
each of them telling a unique story about different cancer survivors.
“This exhibition is really close to my heart because
it affects women and their families. These women go through a lot emotionally,
financially and physically and the hospitals lack adequate medical equipment
and personnel that are needed to cater to these women. My major goal is to
create awareness and advocacy for early detection that will reduce the number
of patients in the long run. Another goal for me is raising funds for the
survivors and patients that are needed to make available the necessary equipment
and medications required”. Yetunde Babaeko speaks passionately about breast
cancer at the exhibition.
“I attended a workshop organized by Sebeccly Cancer Care
and there was a woman who could not afford treatment for the illness. I said to
myself what could I do because I didn’t have money nor did I have wealthy friends.
That’s where the initiative 1K4Cancer was birthed that had a main goal of
soliciting for funds for cancer care and treatment”. Wana Udobang speaks about her initiative at the exhibition.
“It was emotional and heartbreaking to hear the survivors’
story. We did not fully understand the gravity of the stories they told until
we started seeing and taking pictures. I joined the initiative because I felt
touched by their stories, how most of them had to sell all they had just to pay
for treatment and it still was not enough to cover all the treatment”.
Yemi Disu a member X-perspective shares her experience at the
exhibition.
This exhibition will run till the 29th of
March 2014 and proceeds from the sales of the photos and post cards will go to
Sebeccly Cancer Care for treatment of cancer patients and survivors on their waiting list.
MORE PICTURES AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE BELOW
