Polaris Bank Limited has reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to cancer advocacy, awareness, early detection and patient support as it partnered WinCancer Foundation to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Bank’s participation in the Foundation’s inaugural WinCancer Games, held at Whitesands School playground, Lagos, under the theme “Awareness to Action,” highlighted the importance of translating awareness into practical steps that encourage early medical attention, promote access to screening and strengthen support for individuals and families affected by cancer.
Representing Polaris Bank at the event, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head, Brand Management and Corporate Communications, said the Bank’s commitment to social impact extends beyond banking to initiatives that improve lives and address critical societal challenges.
“At Polaris Bank, we believe that the true measure of an institution goes beyond financial performance. It is also reflected in the lives we touch, the communities we support and the positive impact we create in society,” Bolarinwa said.
He noted that the Bank’s commitment to cancer advocacy and patient assistance spans its legacy institutions and remains an integral part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.
Through its longstanding collaboration with the foremost cancer-focused NGO, Care Organisation Public Enlightenment (C.O.P.E), Polaris Bank has supported breast cancer screening for more than 22,000 women, donated three breast cancer screening machines, including a mobile unit, sponsored treatment for over 30 indigent cancer patients and supported survivors. In 2026, the Bank continued these efforts with initiatives targeting free breast cancer screening for 100 women and prostate cancer screening for 250 men aged 40 and above, reinforcing its commitment to practical interventions that extend beyond awareness to screening access, patient assistance and community education.
Bolarinwa commended WinCancer Foundation for advancing cancer awareness and supporting people affected by the disease, stressing that meaningful progress requires collaboration among corporate organisations, healthcare professionals, government institutions, advocacy groups, development partners and communities. He also highlighted the emotional, psychological and financial pressures associated with a cancer diagnosis, noting that patients and survivors need more than medical care; they also require encouragement, dignity and reliable support throughout their cancer journey. He reiterated that Polaris Bank would continue to build on its legacy of community-focused interventions through partnerships that promote access to care and support vulnerable members of society.
Founded by Olabisi Oladiran, a two-time breast cancer survivor, WinCancer Foundation was established to address the challenges faced by people affected by cancer through awareness, early detection advocacy and patient support. While initially focused on breast cancer, its work has expanded to include ovarian, colon, blood and childhood cancers. The Foundation provides community education, food assistance for patients and their families, care packages containing essential medical supplies, and referrals to partner hospitals for testing and further medical assessment.
Its interventions recognise the practical and emotional difficulties that accompany a cancer diagnosis and the importance of ensuring that patients and their families have access to reliable information, timely assessment and a supportive community.
Speaking at the event, Oluwatumininu Adesioye, Trustee of WinCancer Foundation, said the initiative was designed to move cancer advocacy beyond conversations and into tangible action. She explained that “Awareness to Action” encourages people to seek appropriate medical advice, pay attention to changes in their bodies, discuss early detection with loved ones and support those undergoing treatment. She also highlighted how the Foundation was inspired by Oladiran’s personal experience of diagnosis, treatment and the financial burdens associated with cancer, which motivated her to extend support to others navigating similar challenges.
Proceeds from the WinCancer Games, including ticket sales, donations and vendor participation, contribute to sustaining the Foundation’s patient support interventions.
The inaugural WinCancer Games brought participants together through sporting activities, community engagement and fundraising to promote cancer education and collective responsibility. Four participating houses represented distinct cancer advocacy causes: Red House for blood cancers, Blue House for colon cancer, Teal House for ovarian cancer and Gold House for childhood cancer. The activities reinforced a shared message of solidarity, resilience and support for people affected by cancer, while encouraging participants to take personal responsibility for their health and help others access care.
As part of the awareness campaign, participants were encouraged to understand their bodies, seek prompt medical attention when they notice unusual changes and consult qualified healthcare professionals about appropriate screening based on their age, medical history and individual risk factors. For breast cancer, a new lump, changes in breast size or shape, skin changes or unusual nipple discharge warrant medical evaluation, although not every change indicates cancer.
The Bank and Foundation emphasised the importance of informed conversations, timely professional assessment and appropriate screening as part of a sustained approach to cancer awareness and early detection.
Bolarinwa reiterated that corporate social responsibility must be a sustained effort capable of delivering meaningful and lasting impact.
“At Polaris Bank, we believe that our greatest legacy is not simply what we have done, but the lives we continue to touch,” he said.
He encouraged individuals, families and communities to take cancer awareness seriously, seek appropriate medical advice and support people affected by the disease. The Bank also commended cancer survivors for their courage and resilience, healthcare professionals for their dedication, and advocacy organisations for their continued efforts to improve cancer awareness and patient support across Nigeria.
Through its participation in the WinCancer Games and its longstanding interventions, Polaris Bank continues to reinforce the message that awareness must be accompanied by action, compassion and sustained collaboration.
