Adekemi Oyewusi: Highlighting the positive and inspiring experiences I’ve had

Adekemi Oyewusi shared a post on LinkedIn:

”The past few weeks have been both rewarding and challenging, but I’d like to highlight the positive and inspiring experiences I’ve had.

1. I was privileged to be selected as one of the World Health Organization delegates Co-Creating Priorities for Cancer 2030, collaborating with individuals with lived experience and emerging leaders. I had the honor of Co-Chairing my team with Abigail Simon-Hart, who served as Chair. Our focus was on how governments can better integrate the voices of those with lived experience into policy making and support. Facilitating this process alongside such a diverse and insightful group was truly rewarding. I’m excited for the next phase as we work towards finalizing our priority statement.
2.  I had the opportunity to speak at the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) – World Cancer Congress, where my team David Noyd, Guari Kapoor, Viviana Trigoso Obando, and I presented on ‘Thriving Beyond Childhood Cancer: Local Care Priorities in Resource-Limited Settings.’ which was supported by International Society of Paediatric Oncology – SIOP. My presentation focused on survivorship and advocacy in Nigeria, emphasizing the critical role of government and civil society, particularly in government involvement. I also took the chance to highlight the incredible work being done by the Okapi Children’s Cancer Foundation.
3. I served as a panelist at the Childhood Cancer International – Africa webinar, addressing the challenges of childhood cancer in Africa and discussing the work we are doing at CCI to develop a global survivors network.
4. I participated in the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) workshop for individuals with lived experience, where we held group discussions about our vision for progress within the cancer community. I also had the chance to represent my team, emphasizing key points to be addressed at the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meetings on NCDs.

It was a also a pleasure volunteering for Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) at this year’s World Cancer Congress and connecting with inspiring individuals from around the world, including our Nigerian delegates from National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, the Nigerian Cancer Society, and the remarkable First Ladies, Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu and the wife of the Governor of Katsina State ‘H.E Fatima Dikko Radda. Their advocacy for better support for children is commendable, especially under the platform of Coalition of NGOs of Wives of Governors to Fight Cancer in Nigeria. I was also encouraged by National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment plans and the inclusion of children with cancer in the National Cancer Control Plan (2023-2027), particularly in terms of funding. This is a positive step forward, more effort and support are still needed for these children.

I’m excited about the important work ahead. The fight against cancer is a collective responsibility, and together, we can achieve our goals.”

Source: Adekemi Oyewusi/LinkedIn

Adekemi Oyewusi is the TMO Project Coordinator at OneHealth and previously worked as a Project Management Specialist at Beamco Nig. Ltd. As a cancer survivor and advocate, she is committed to giving children with cancer a second chance.