AFRICAN CANCER CARE NEWS WATCH

By Dr. Eucharia Iwuanyanwu, President, ACCI.

This remarkable event took place on the occasion of the celebration of the human rights treaty of the twenty-first century’s entry into force at the United Nations General Assembly, UN Headquarters in New York. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its optional protocol entered into force on 3 May 2008. It is the first legally binding international instrument on disability. This marks a major milestone in the effort to promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their dignity. Equal Rights for Persons with Disability International, Inc (ERPDI), selected our organization to receive the United States President George W. Bush, prestigious, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Governor David Paterson, of New York State, Honorable Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City and Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas State awards, in recognition of the voluntary and humanitarian contributions of Africa Cancer Care Inc (ACCI) and its affiliate, Africa Cancer Prevention Group (ACPG) to Americans, Nigerians, and Africans disabled by cancer, a terrible disease. These prestigious awards were for making a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged within our communities. They are also, for promoting and protecting the rights and human dignity for persons with disabilities. During this convention, 25 countries ratified the treaty. Nigeria is yet to join others in ratifying this treaty even though it is one of the first countries that signed the papers in March 30, 2007.

Africa Cancer Care Inc and ACPG have been working very hard to bring cancer awareness to minority populations in Harris County, Greater Houston Area, and United States, among immigrant minorities in our communities and the people of Africa to find help in terms of treatment for discovered cancer cases during their Medical Missions. They serve as advocates for people disabled by cancer especially in Nigeria where they have taken 2 to 3 missions. They have stimulated government desire to find solutions to this dreadful disease. Last April, the First Lady of Nigeria, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua visited MD Anderson Cancer Center, a visit triggered by ACCI and its affiliate ACPG in an effort to solicit the help of this number one cancer center in the world. It was a very noble move. We are highly honored and are very appreciative of MD Anderson’s support and willingness to help make possible the development of cancer infrastructure in Nigeria, to help bring to fruition the dream of ACCI and that of Her Excellency, Hajiya Turia Yar’Adua. The First Lady’s Women and Youth Enrichment Foundation (WAYEF) program is devoted to providing help to women, youth and persons with disabilities.

ACCI and ACPG had the singular honor of hosting the Her Excellency Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua in a dinner reception held on March 19, 2008. During this event, the First Lady of Nigeria reiterated her determination to build a cancer infrastructure in Nigeria of International Standard and also to introduce the concept to other African First Lady’s herself being their leader. ACCI, a member of Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria in the Diaspora, USA, Chapter, Rehabilitation International (RI) and International Disability Alliance (IDA) is committed to the First Lady’s vision and will help her achieve and maintain it through efficient ground work, networking and grass root programs in the country and other African nations.

The new treaty providing for people with disability of all types will go a long way towards making the vision of the Nigerian First Lady a success. “I hope that the current administration will join the rest of the world in ratifying & implementing this needed, historic treaty very soon,” said Dr. Iwuanyanwu. Africa Cancer Care, Inc, Africa Cancer Prevention Group, and MD Andersons Cancer Center thanks United States President, George Bush, Governor David Patterson of New York State, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City, Hon. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas States, Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria in the Diaspora, for the prestigious awards in recognition of our voluntary work to make a difference for mankind.

Rehabilitation International (RI) is a global network of 1,000 organizations of persons with disabilities, service providers, agencies, professionals and experts in a broad range of disability-related issues. RI and its members were actively involved in the negotiations toward the Convention and continue to promote universal ratification and implementation of the CRPD. In this regard, RI, African Cancer Care, Inc, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc and Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria in the Diaspora are well-placed to offer assistance to the Government of Nigeria and other African Nations in developing effective laws, policies and programs to realize the goals of the Convention and Cancer Care. ACCI and her network are dedicated to cancer prevention and helping those disabled from this disease and all other disabilities. “Together we make a difference because we care”.

For more information, please contact: African Cancer Care, Inc. via

Website: http://africacancercareinc.org,

Adress: 6011 Telephone Road, Houston, Texas 77087,

Email: info@africacancercareinc.org,

Phone: 832-818-2602, fax: 713-436-0055.

In the middle is Dr. Lovell Jones, Director CRMH @ MD Anderson Cancer Center, to his left is Dr. Eucharia Iwuanyanwu, president ACCI, next is Sir Chris Iwuanyanwu followed by Mrs. Beatrice Ifeoma Oni-Orisan, PRO ERPDI . To the right is Dr. Thelma Hurd, breast surgeon and vice chair of board of Director ACCI, followed by Dr. Thelma Hurd her mother and Chief Eric Ndubeze Ufom, president of ERPDI Inc.

Dr. Eucharia Iwuanyanwu, president ACCI showing copy of award with Chief Eric N. Ufom president of ERPDI

Dr. Thelma Hurd breast surgeon and volunteer to all ACPG mission showing award with Chief E. N. Ufom.