Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Executive Director at Project Pink Blue, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“A few weeks ago, I turned 40, and I decided to raise $4,000 for cancer patients as a way to give back to Oxford – the home of Miami University. A community that has given me more than I ever thought. I decided to host a Birthday Party without a Cake but with a Purpose. To bring together community, culture, and purpose. Interestingly, we raised $5,175.50.
Three days before the Birthday Fundraiser, only $1,190 had been raised. Three hours to the event on February 15, I was blown away when I was informed that we had raised $4,000+. By the end of the event, we had gotten $5,000 plus. This is truly Love and Honor. Special thanks to everyone who made this possible. 100% of the funds raised will benefit LUNA CARES FUND INC – a local nonprofit supporting cancer patients in Ohio, USA.
Raising funds to support communities and people in need has been a significant part of my life. Since 2019, I have been using my birthday to raise funds for cancer patients to pay for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and many other treatment needs. In 2020, while attending Birmingham City University for my MSc, I raised about £1,500 through GoFundMe and an additional €20,000 to establish the first Psychological Support Centre (PSC) for cancer patients in Abuja. In 2022, I raised over N4million for my colleagues battling cancer, and in 2023, 2024, and 2025, I have consistently done the same. Using my birthday to touch the lives of cancer patients has been one of the most fulfilling decisions that I have made since 2019, and I am not relenting.
I have seen how the funds that I have raised over the years have supported patients, their family caregivers, and the community. I have seen some beneficiaries transition from patients to advocates, and some have started their own cancer nonprofits, reaching out to communities. I want to thank everyone who trusted me with their funds and believed in my vision. I have done this in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and now in the United States.
Special thanks to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Oxford, to my planning committee family, and the Nigerian community. A big thanks to my beautiful and loving wife, Sunshine K. Chidebe, who partnered with her friends Chioma Ndolo, Ruth Ndupu, and Bolaji Ayeseni to coordinate and make ready the best Nigerian cuisines ever. Special thanks to my brother of life, Kingsley C. Udeh, who made sure that everyone had a taste of African flavour and drinks.
In my estimation, a cancer patient is a cancer patient anywhere they are. What matters is actually how we care for them. I am made of community, and I will continue to do more to engage and reach out to my communities. Oxford is truly a city for Love and Honor.
Runcie C.W. Chidebe”
Other posts featuring Runcie C.W. Chidebe on OncoDaily.
