Mon Aug 29 06:29:00 UTC 2016
Shoprite Nigeria has reinforced its commitment to the communities in which it operates through its efforts to raise awareness around the impact of breast cancer in the country.
Through the Shoprite Community Network, the retailer has partnered with renowned non-profit Run For A Cure Africa (RFCA), periodically offering customers free breast cancer screenings at selected stores across the country.
A recent screening hosted during the opening of its 20th store saw about 300 women being screened on the day. Earlier this year in June, a screening was hosted at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos to mark the retailer’s 10th anniversary in the country.
Shoprite’s partnership with Run For A Cure Africa began in 2009, and has grown from strength-to-strength. The Shoprite Community Network provides the resources and platform for the non-profit to fulfil its mandate of fighting breast cancer in Africa by erasing societal stigmas and creating more access to screenings.
RFCA Coordinator and Spokeswoman Mrs Ebele Mbanugo expressed her gratitude for Shoprite’s support of the organisations work. “I want to thank the Shoprite Community Network for its support of RFCA. With their assistance, we have been able to host five free breast cancer screenings since forging a partnership in 2014. These screenings are vitally important for the early detection of breast cancer. Currently, 75% of breast cancers in Nigeria are discovered in the last stage. If detected early, the probability of survival is above 90%.”
For Shoprite Nigeria’s Operations Manager Carl Erickson, the continued support for the work being done by RFCA is important to increase education and survival rates of women impacted by the disease. “We’re glad to be able to offer consumers lower prices, convenience and a world class shopping experience, as well as to create opportunities that can possibly save lives such as the free screenings,” says Erickson.
Shoprite’s successful expansion in Nigeria over the last decade has been mirrored by its support for local community initiatives, especially in locations where its stores are based. The retailer has a comprehensive corporate social responsibility programme in place, supporting various projects in areas such as education, community support and health, all through its Shoprite Community Network.
With plans in place to continue its expansion across Nigeria, Shoprite remains committed to acting for change in the communities in which it operates.