The Managers of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Fund on Monday launched scratch cards dubbed �iGive Charity Scratch Card� to enable everyone to contribute to the education on the diseases.
The cards, printed in GH�2.00, GH�5.00 and GH�10.00 denominations, have PINS at the back which the buyer would text to all networks in Ghana to donate to the fund.
Mr Gaddiel Edusa-Eyison, a fundraiser and Chief Executive Officer, Card Solution Ghana limited, said the PINS could be sent by text to MTN on short code 1986; Vodafone/Airtel/Expresso � 1401 and tiGO - 46737494554 at a fee of 12 Ghana pesewas.
He said the board decided to use the cards because they believed that it would give everybody, irrespective of their status, an equal chance to contribute their window�s mite to the fund. �We also realize that mobile phones are useful for this purpose because a huge number of people use phones which are also the only means that one can send a text message,� he explained.
Mr Edusa-Eyison said the government in 2008 decided to create awareness on breast cancer to educate the public on the disease.
He said for now the cards could be purchased at the Koala Shopping Centre, Osu, Media Pharmacy, East Legon and all branches of Jinlet Pharmacy in Accra. �We hope to open other outlets in the near future to give easy access to everyone,�
He said the emotional stress associated with the disease alone should touch the heart of the good people of Ghana to donate freely to the fund, adding that they would soon launch a fund for prostate cancer as well.
Mr Edusa-Eyison, therefore, appealed to the media, especially radio and the television stations, to give them free airtime to educate the public better.
Ms Doris Mawuse Aglobitse, a Member of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Board, said in the past they were mobilizing funds from external sources to support their activities but they now they would source the funds locally because money from outside had been dwindling.
She said it was good to sensitize people locally so that they would know how dangerous the disease was to motivate them to contribute voluntarily into the fund.
Ms Aglobitse said they were collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service but wanted to form partnership with the media too to carry the message across to their listeners.
Ms Gladys Boaten, a breast cancer survivor, said apart from the burden of paying for the treatment, the disease also made them feel lonely and isolated.
She said the stigma especially at work places was very stressful and appealed to the public to patronise the cards to save more lives.
Ms Boaten, who survived the disease after 12 years, said she was grateful for the creation of the fund as it would give the necessary awareness for early detection and also make treatment easier.
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