BRICON Foundation supports breast cancer survivors with free mastectomy wear
The BRICON Foundation, a Nigerian non-profit organisation, has distributed free breast forms and mastectomy wear to breast cancer patients at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Ogun.
The initiative was part of activities marking the foundation’s 10th anniversary and its ongoing commitment to supporting women beyond breast cancer treatment through practical, emotional and social support.
The foundation, committed to improving the lives of people affected by cancer, provides practical support, advocacy, education and access to care for patients, survivors and their families.
Founded by Abigail Simon-Hart, a breast cancer survivor, and Dr Niyi Adekeye, who share the experience of losing a parent to cancer, the foundation has supported cancer patients through various initiatives.
These initiatives include financial assistance for treatment, counselling and support groups, education and scholarships for children of beneficiaries, skills development and survivorship empowerment programmes through micro grants.
The foundation also conducts screening and awareness programmes for prostate cancer and provides free mastectomy bras and breast forms to women who have undergone breast cancer surgery.
Its work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that people affected by cancer receive medical care alongside the practical, emotional and social support needed to rebuild their lives.
Simon-Hart, who underwent a double mastectomy, has been particularly passionate about raising awareness and challenging the stigma and shame often associated with breast cancer and mastectomy.
She has also championed efforts to help women feel confident and whole again after surgery through the provision of appropriate mastectomy wear and breast forms.
The latest outreach was made possible through the foundation’s partnership with Smalls for All UK, a charity that provides underwear and support garments to people in need around the world.
The foundation said access to appropriate breast forms and mastectomy wear could be financially challenging for many women who had undergone mastectomy.
It said the programme helped address the often-overlooked need, enabling women to regain comfort, confidence and a greater sense of normalcy following breast cancer surgery.
According to the foundation, more than 1,000 women have benefited from free mastectomy bras and breast forms through its long-standing programme and partnerships with mastectomy companies in Europe.
It said the support provided much-needed practical and emotional assistance to women throughout their survivorship journey following breast cancer treatment and surgery.
The foundation said cancer care did not end with treatment, stressing that supporting survivors to regain confidence, wellbeing and independence remained important to improving lives after cancer.
“Cancer care does not end with treatment,” the foundation said, adding that supporting survivors remained an important part of its commitment to improving lives after cancer.
Through its initiatives and growing network of partnerships, the foundation said it continued to champion support for cancer survivors beyond medical treatment and recovery.
Speaking at the event, the co-founders thanked Dr Tomi Coker, Commissioner, Dr Bunmi Fatungase, Chief Medical Director, and the medical team for providing the opportunity for the outreach.
The co-founders expressed appreciation for the opportunity to extend the initiative to breast cancer patients in Ogun State through the outreach at the teaching hospital.
Fatungase thanked the foundation for the initiative and encouraged women diagnosed with breast cancer and requiring mastectomy surgery not to be afraid.
The CMD said available solutions included bras and foam prostheses being donated to breast cancer survivors through the foundation’s outreach programme.
“Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and need mastectomy surgery should not be scared as there are available solutions,” the CMD said.
She said the available solutions included “the bras and foam prosthesis that we are donating,” encouraging women who need mastectomy surgery to consider the support available.
The foundation’s outreach forms part of its broader efforts to support women affected by breast cancer and help them regain confidence and wellbeing after surgery.
The initiative also reflects the foundation’s continued commitment to practical support for cancer survivors and families, alongside advocacy, education, awareness and access to care.
The foundation said its partnerships had enabled it to provide free mastectomy bras and breast forms to more than 1,000 women over the years.
It said such support remained necessary for women recovering from breast cancer surgery, particularly those who faced financial challenges accessing appropriate mastectomy wear.
The BRICON Foundation said it would continue to support cancer survivors through initiatives aimed at addressing practical and emotional needs during survivorship.
The outreach was held as part of activities marking the foundation’s 10th anniversary and its continued support for women beyond breast cancer treatment.
