Sierra Leone's Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation

Breast cancer is a serious problem in Sierra Leone that affects both women and men. But access to medical facilities is not easily available, and is sometimes non-existent. I spoke to the founder of the Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation, Cremelda Pratt, about her organisation. The following extract is from an insightful interview I had with her.

ROLAND MARKE: Mrs Cremelda Pratt, I’m honoured to interview you. How and why was Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation born?

CREMELDA PRATT: Thank you Mr Marke. It’s a privilege to be interviewed by you. Thinking Pink was birthed on 30 November 2007 in Sierra Leone. Present at birth were Isata Conteh, Dr Lynda Foray, Dr Donald Taqi, Mrs Maureen Kay, Mrs Angie Gooding, Daisy Hyde, Noella Paul (by proxy), and Josephine Tucker. These volunteers came together to take up the challenges of breast cancer awareness in Sierra Leone. After my close friends Justice Valarie Nicol and Ms Verna Iscandri lost their battle to this deadly disease, it then became clear that the need for awareness on breast cancer in Sierra Leone was quite urgent. We also have some friends and peers who are survivors working alongside Well Woman Clinic – they help us spread the word on early detection. We are proactive and will not relent until every Sierra Leonean can proudly say I am aware 'It’s our fight too.'

ROLAND MARKE: What is your background and where is the foundation presently located?

CREMELDA PRATT: My background is in business administration. But I’m very passionate about children and women’s issues also. Our headquarters is in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with a satellite office in the United States.

ROLAND MARKE: How is the project financed? What are the challenges and objectives of the project, including the credibility factor?

CREMELDA PRATT: Currently, we are funded by members of the foundation who are very passionate, and they give us their very best. We consider it unacceptable that Sierra Leone lacks basic infrastructure for breast cancer. Data collected during our launching was alarming: 278 participants came forward for a clinical exam – 45 had some form of breast abnormality.

The objectives of the foundation are advocacy and sensitisation; there is an urgent need for breast cancer treatment in Sierra Leone, while our target group includes every Sierra Leonean age 18 years and over. We believe we have a lot of challenges ahead of us, and we are willing to face them. I must say that Well Woman Clinic is doing a good job in a country without an oncologist, and we are working in partnership with them. They work closely with our local OB/GYN for the clinical side of the disease. This is too serious a project to warrant any credibility factor. It truly hurts to see teenagers with breast cancer crying their eyes out with no place to seek treatment. The closest place we can go to for basic treatment is Ghana. Sierra Leoneans need to come together so that we can make this a 'collective battle'.

ROLAND MARKE: How did the recent charity event go? Why is this project personally near and dear to your heart?

CREMELDA PRATT: It went very well. In our midst was Dr Akim Gibril OB/GYN, who understands women’s issues in Sierra Leone very well. We have a Fall Fashion Show coming up at the Mansion at Strathmore on the 3 October 2009 at 3pm. Our goal is to raise money towards a well-equipped mobile clinic to take treatment to the people. Mama Yele and Oseh Brown need to move beyond the taboo that equates breast cancer to ‘witchcraft’; in this day and age of awareness, [this] personally saddens me. The world is moving towards a cure, yet we are still separated by geography (little or no awareness). Being a woman and getting older puts me at risk too. Women represent over 50 per cent of the population in Sierra Leone. This deadly disease undermines our dignity and confidence, thus affecting our overall contribution to society. Sierra Leonean women have suffered too long in silence, yet [are] ashamed to confront this terrible disease. It is time we move beyond the societal taboo.

ROLAND MARKE: Are there other projects probably in the works?

CREMELDA PRATT: For 2009, we have none. I’m quite focused on this project and its success. And I cannot do it alone. We are appealing to Sierra Leoneans to join hands with us, as this disease does not respect anyone. I need every support possible: prayers, ideas and funds – since funding means moving the work forward. We need suggestions, criticism: we need it all.

ROLAND MARKE: What is your assessment of the present healthcare delivery system back home?

CREMELDA PRATT: The health situation in Sierra Leone to say the least is 'depressing'. It’s believed to have reached epidemic proportions. We need help right now, and desperately too.

ROLAND MARKE: What is your vision for this organisation five years from now? Does politics affect the welfare of the foundation in Sierra Leone?

CREMELDA PRATT: My vision five years from now is that this foundation is committed to continue spreading the message that early detection is the key to a cure; we will continue to raise awareness, and hope by then [that] Sierra Leone will have a well-equipped medical facility. We are appealing to our Sierra Leonean oncologists to assist with medical missions: our mothers and sisters need to understand the ruthlessness of cancer and be offered adequate medical care. Politics has no place in this foundation as we are a non-profit organisation. Please visit us online on www.thinkingpinkfoundation.org and make your contribution that would help save the lives of needy and desperate folk in Sierra Leone. Thank you for your valuable help and support.

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* Roland Bankole Marke is a Sierra Leonean writer, poet and author of three books. He is an activist for the poor, disadvantaged children and women and gives voice to the voiceless.
* Roland Bankole Marke © 2009.
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