About Thinking Pink
Thinking Pink Breast
Cancer Foundation
“Thinking Pink” is a registered non-governmental organization with partners supporting the fight against breast cancer through awareness campaigns, clinical breast screening, research, breast health education, advocacy, and assistance to some financially challenged diagnosed with breast cancer. Through treatment options, includes treatment options, transportation to and from treatment facilities, and counselling.
Our key function is to reach the most remote areas nationwide to educate the populace, conduct training-of-trainers workshops on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, identify risk factors, and collect vital data.
Mission
To save precious lives through intense awareness campaigns, give hope, and promote public awareness nationwide.
“No woman should suffer mortality or morbidity due to access or location.”
Vision
The Foundation aims to enlighten the general public about cancer and encourage better lifestyle choices among individuals, thereby reducing the prevalence and impact of this dreaded disease. We also seek to improve healthcare workers’ alertness to recognize the signs and symptoms of cancer, increasing access to proper cancer education, prevention, control, and treatment.
Meet Our Team
A dedicated group of passionate health advocates, caregivers, and volunteers working together to create hope, spread awareness, and support individuals affected by breast cancer. Our team is united by compassion, strength, and the mission to save lives through education, prevention, and care.
Mrs Cremelda Parkinson pratt
Founder/CEO
Dr Adeyemi Rodney-Sandy
Chairman B O Trustees
Dr Joan H .Shepherd
Mrs Barbara Audrey Josephine Sangare
Ms Stella Bangura
Our Core Values
Teamwork
We are passionate about our mission. We operate on respect, cooperation and trust.
Caring
We are considerate, respectful and caring towards individuals and families touched by Cancer.
Integrity
We are committed to adhering to the highest standards of professionalism, operating in a transparent and ethical manner with full accountability to our patients, stakeholders and the general public.
Inclusivity
We value diversity and work hard to create a collaborative environment.
Our History
Thinking Pink Breast Cancer Foundation is founded by Mrs. Cremelda Parkinson Pratt, she has a clear vision after deep soul searching and losing a dear friend & an in-law to Breast Cancer.
The Foundation is a full member of UICC (Union for International Cancer Control), the Sierra Leone Cancer Society & The American Cancer Society.
A Health Fair was held on January 8th, 2008 to officially launch TPBCF. Data collected at the Health Fair was alarming. 278 participants came forward for Clinical examination wherein 45 had some form of breast abnormality. This gave the Foundation the mandate through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to run operations.
On March 8th, 2012, the Foundation was rebranded with an office space and paid staff.
In 2013 the Foundation hosted its first annual half Marathon intended to promote Breast Cancer awareness on a national level. It also promotes physical activity and camaraderie especially in the workplace, not forgetting the most needed funds to support Cancer patients and the furtherance of the Foundation.
TPBCF was invited to the NCDS validation meeting for members at WAHO held in Abidjan in 2017.
In 2019, Mrs. Cremelda Parkinson Pratt, Founder & CEO represented the Foundation at The World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in Kazakhstan.
In 2020, Mrs. Cremelda P. Pratt was invited to a learning tour in Mauritius sponsored by UICC.
In 2022 as the Foundation celebrates its 10th Anniversary with alarming Data SPA donated by Mrs. Joyce Osman and her family was launched for women including women diagnosed with Cancer.
Representing the Foundation at the UICC World Cancer Congress in 2022, Mrs. Cremelda Parkinson Pratt presented on the topic “MOBILISING FUNDS FOR TREATMENT OF UNDERSERVED WOMEN IN SIERRA LEONE”.
The Foundation is proactive with a mission to vigorously take up the challenges of Breast Cancer awareness in Sierra Leone alongside partners, stakeholders, donors, volunteers, and survivors who tell their stories. “No one should Die from Breast Cancer because of Geography or poverty.
Changing Cancer Perception
According to the United Nations, Cancer is on the rise globally and Sierra Leone is no exception & by 2025 low/ middle income countries would be severely affected; we are noticing the trend in our data.
In 2017, Cancer was recognized as a public Health Emergency in Sierra Leone. According to IARCS, GLOBOCAN 2020 revealed approximately 4708 new cancer cases (1836 men; 2876 women) and 3389 cancer deaths (1389 men; 2000 women). Women are clearly more affected because of the high burden of breast cancer (985 new cases), which ranks first, followed by cervical (504 new cases), and liver (157 new cases). 3% of all mortality in Sierra Leone are attributed to cases related to cancer.
The high mortality to incidence ratios for cancer in both men and women suggest low cancer survival patterns in Sierra Leone, this is because of difficulties in accessing health care services locally, low economic and educational levels, inadequate number of health professionals, inadequate diagnostic facilities and available treatment options that can handle cancer related cases.
By 2040, cancer incidence and mortality are expected to rise by approximately 80% to 8496 new cases and 6168 deaths respectively.
Our Cancer infrastructure is fragile – All we offer is Surgery, Chemotherapy and some palliative care. Cancer is a disease that is curable if detected early and painful/deadly if left undetected.
The inequity towards Cancer care in LMICs is extremely wide compared to the Western World and many times diagnosed patients delay their treatment pathway because of lack of knowledge and the financial burden associated with Cancer treatment.
The disparity of Cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa is to be addressed at the Government level and international partners should also pay keen attention especially as our data states that younger women/girls are being diagnosed with some form of breast abnormality including advanced stage of Malignant tumors at an alarming rate and there are many.
Our main Teaching Hospital – Connaught Teaching Hospital located in Freetown with only one (1) Surgical Oncologist, One (1) Medical Oncologist and no Radiotherapy facility canter.
We cannot relent in the fight against Breast Cancer as everyone is at Risk and a potential victim