by Yemi Olowu

After successfully kicking off the campaign to commemorate the 25^th World Breast Cancer awareness month with the ‘Pink Kitchen’ initiative, PINK Pearl Foundation continued its activities with the Pink Ride; which involved riding bicycles between two states in just two days.

Pink Ride brought over sixty riders from all over the country to ride from Asaba, Delta State to Benin City. They rode through Isele-Uku and Umunede to Benin and from Benin through Oghara and Sapele to Warri.

The Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan kick started the race, after a one day orientation, by mounting his bicycle and riding alongside the cyclists the entire stretch of the road leading to the Benin – Asaba Expressway.

The cyclists rode through the various Towns and Villages and at every stop the Pink Pearl Foundation team created awareness about breast cancer, its causes and ways to prevent and treat it. While interacting with the Sapele Community Mr. Nathan Oboli said, “This disease is something that has existed with our women for centuries now, but ignorance has made us continually see it as either a spiritual attack or a family curse for some people it is known to occur frequently in their families. We are indeed more than grateful to Pink Pearl Foundation for bringing the awareness to our community and the bicycle riders for making the campaign colourful.”

The first day ended with the cyclist, led by the First Lady of Delta State, Mrs. Sheila Roli Uduaghan, visiting the Government house in Edo State where they were received by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu. He thanked them for the visit and was impressed that the First Lady was part of the initiative. He also acknowledged their efforts and reminded all that the Governor of Edo State lost his wife to the dreadful disease a while ago and that has made their administration relentless in its support to fight the dreaded disease.

At the end of the ride, Pink Pearl Founder, Orode Jade Okpu thanked God for journey mercies and a successful event, she confirmed from Dr. Alfred who led the medical team that there was no casualty all through the trip and was “humbled by the cyclers determination, strength and dedication. We are more than grateful to our sponsors and partners – Access Bank PLC, Life Style Cycling Club, Otres, Remain Blessed Catering, FRSC, St. Luke’s Hospital Asaba, Icare Foundation, Barr. Iboroma Akpana and all who helped make this happen’’, she said.