Her voice trembled, but her message was strong.
Marcelyn stood before a crowd at Atoklokope in the Ketu South Municipality, her eyes glistening with tears as she shared the painful story of her younger sister, Lydia, a 37-year-old new mother who lost her life to breast cancer just months after childbirth.
Lydia’s story began with joy. On May 25, 2025, she welcomed a baby boy, her first child. But soon after, her joy turned to agony as she experienced unusual swelling and pain in one breast. Doctors later confirmed her worst fear at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital: breast cancer.
By the time of diagnosis, it was already too late. Despite rounds of chemotherapy and referrals between Ridge Hospital and Madina Polyclinic, Lydia passed away on October 11, 2025, just five months after giving birth.
“She didn’t know early that it was breast cancer,” Marcelyn said, her voice breaking. “Many women take advice from others and rely on traditional medicine instead of going to the hospital. By the time they realise it’s too late. That’s how my sister died.”
Her grief has now become a mission, a call for women everywhere to seek early screening.
It was in this spirit that the Dei Foundation, in partnership with St. Anthony’s Hospital, Dzodze, organised a free breast cancer and health screening in Atoklokope under the theme “Screen to Save a Life.”
The outreach, part of Pink October, the global month for breast cancer awareness, brought together hundreds of residents for free breast and prostate cancer screening, blood pressure checks, malaria and hepatitis testing, as well as NHIS registration and renewals.
For the Dei Foundation, the campaign is about bringing healthcare closer to those who need it most.
“We are here to educate and screen women,” said Xornam Favour Ignatius-Dei, the Foundation’s Public Relations Officer. “It’s Pink October, and our goal is to remind every woman that early detection saves lives. But we cannot do it alone — we need the support of NGOs, corporate bodies, and individuals to reach more communities.”
Health experts at the event warned that breast cancer is becoming increasingly common in Ghana.
Clement Dodzi Banya, an oncology specialist from St. Anthony’s Hospital, shared sobering statistics:
One in every eight women is likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.
About 5,000 new cases are recorded annually in Ghana.
Half of those diagnosed die, largely due to late detection and financial hardship.
“Breast cancer is real — but it is also curable when detected early,” Banya stressed. “We need to support our women, especially those who cannot afford treatment. Awareness is only the first step — access is the next.”
By the end of the exercise, about 500 people had been screened. Health officials detected five prostate cancer cases and four breast cancer cases, providing immediate referrals for further medical care.
The Dei Foundation, known for its humanitarian and health-centred initiatives, continues to expand its outreach across Ghana. With a strong focus on women’s health and community empowerment, the Foundation works through partnerships with hospitals and volunteers to make healthcare accessible to underserved communities.
As the screening wrapped up and the sun set over Atoklokope, Marcelyn’s story lingered in the hearts of many — a painful reminder that behind every statistic lies a mother, sister, or daughter whose life could be saved through awareness and timely action.
For the Dei Foundation, this campaign is more than just a project. It is a promise — to keep turning pain into purpose, one screening at a time.