afrol News, 16 October - Susan G. Komen for Cure(R) mission has today expanded its operations to Africa, to help establish Ghana Breast Cancer Alliance at an international symposium attended by leading breast cancer experts from around world.

Ghana First Lady Theresa Kufuor welcomed participants and commended partner organisations for their collaboration and commitment to helping women of Ghana.

Symposium was opening event of an intensive, four-day mission delegation trip to Ghana, just one of several low, to middle-income countries that Komen for the Cure's international programme will address with goal of helping reduce high rates of breast cancer mortality.

"Practicing culturally sensitive, practical healthcare diplomacy in Ghana is our first priority," said Susan G. Komen for the Cure president and chief executive officer Hala Moddelmog.

She added that, "by increasing public education and awareness as well as acceptance of early detection practices, we hope to reach women at earliest stage of disease when treatment is most successful."

Dr Moddelmog is leading Komen mission delegation that includes physicians, researchers, advocates, survivors and celebrities, including actress Gabrielle Union, philanthropist Malaak Rock, wife of comedian Chris Rock, and breast cancer survivor and activist Billye Aaron, wife of baseball great Hank Aaron.

Helping Ghana in building capacity and putting infrastructure in place to treat breast cancer is first commitment of Komen in Africa.

This commitment was affirmed at a press conference following symposium in capital Accra, where Dr Moddelmog reportedly announced organisation's largest international grant of US$250,000 to help launch Ghana Breast Cancer Alliance.

Komen for the Cure is world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energise science to find cures.

Mission is said to have invested more than US$1.2 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to fight breast cancer worldwide.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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