As Rwanda ushers in Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA) is leading the charge with an innovative community approach.

At a recent awareness and screening event, hosted at Nature Kigali using BCIEA’s new ‘Doing Business with a Cause’ concept, two suspicious cases of breast cancer were detected out of 30 women screened—underscoring the life-saving importance of early detection.

I worked with the owner of Nature Kigali, a popular family-friendly venue, to host the event. The concept aimed to engage the community in a fun, interactive way while promoting critical health services.

We wanted to create a space where people could enjoy themselves while also taking care of their health. By partnering with local businesses, we made this not only an awareness event but also a platform for supporting the cause of breast cancer prevention.

Through this innovative approach, Nature Kigali offered a child-friendly environment, face-painting, and games for families, making it an attractive space for potential paying customers. In exchange, the venue agreed to donate a percentage of sales to BCIEA.

Select wellness vendors were also invited to participate, offering their products to attendees while agreeing to donate a portion of their sales to support BCIEA’s efforts. The response from the vendors was amazing.

They were excited about the idea and generously agreed to contribute, which shows that local businesses want to be part of the solution.

One of BCIEA’s key partners, Goodlife Access, provided free basic health screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, and BMI, and had vendor space health and wellness products.

BCIEA offered Breast Self-Exam (BSE) demonstration and free Clinical Breast Exams (CBE) by trained nurses. The collaboration not only provided essential health services to the community but also created a sustainable model for future awareness campaigns.

This event’s success offers a blueprint for how BCIEA plans to engage the community moving forward. We hope to replicate this model across Rwanda.

By partnering with local businesses and vendors, we’re creating a win-win situation—businesses get exposure, customers enjoy a meaningful experience, and most importantly, we provide life-saving awareness and screenings.

The outcomes of the event clearly show the importance of these collaborative, community-focused initiatives. Two serious suspicions of breast cancer were detected at this event.

Early detection saved lives that day, and we believe that with more events like this, we can save even more. These two women were referred for further testing and will be followed up.

With such encouraging results from this innovative approach, BCIEA is preparing for two major events during the Breast Cancer Awareness which falls in October.

The Ulinzi Walk 2024 and the Ulinzi Fundraising Dinner. These events aim to further engage communities across Rwanda, spreading the message of self-love, early detection, and the need for ongoing screening: IKUNDE IMENYE ISUZUMISHE.

As Rwanda enters Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCIEA invites the public to join its mission to save lives through early detection.

"IKUNDE, IMENYE, ISUZUMISHE”—Love Yourself, Know Yourself, Get Checked—is not just a slogan but a call to action. With the help of local businesses and committed partners, BCIEA is leading the fight against breast cancer in Rwanda, and everyone has a role to play.

BCIEA is also deeply committed to involving youth in its mission. For several years, Green Hills Academy has played a pivotal role in supporting the Ulinzi Walk, serving as both the starting and ending point of the walk.

Ulinzi Walk offers free screenings and a community open forum, further enhancing the outreach and impact of the event.

What makes this collaboration particularly special is the involvement of learners in various activities, from organising logistics to participating in fundraising efforts.

"The students have been incredibly passionate, said Grandma Pink (Name given by Green Hills Learners 2023). "They’ve organised bake sales, helped manage logistics for the walk, and provided on-the-ground support during the event. Their enthusiasm brings a fresh energy to the cause."

Through their participation, the students at Green Hills Academy not only gain experiential learning opportunities but also develop a deep understanding of the importance of health advocacy and community service.

"It’s vital to involve young people in this movement. They are the future, and their involvement ensures that the message of early detection and breast cancer awareness will continue to grow," Grandma Pink added.

This year, as BCIEA gears up for the October Ulinzi Walk and Fundraising Dinner, the youth will once again be a driving force, showcasing how education and activism can intersect to create meaningful change.

Let’s walk together for a future where breast cancer is caught early, and lives are saved.

The writer is a breast cancer survivor and founder of Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa.