I am Jake Epelle, I am a skin cancer survivor and the CEO/Founder of The Albino Foundation. When I was initially diagnosed with skin cancer, it was a real shock to me. The lesion on my skin had been present for over four years and I literally had no clue that my life was on the line from something so seemingly minute. 

Based on the nature of the research which I engage in as the CEO/Founder of The Albino Foundation, Convener Disability Inclusion Nigeria, and President of the Albinism Association of Nigeria. I stumbled upon information about skin cancer, which inspired me to go for a medical check-up. Lo and behold, I was diagnosed with skin cancer, but my saving grace was the army of family and friends who rose to the occasion and came to my rescue. 

By February of 2019, family and friends were able to contribute enough money for me to seek medical treatment at the renowned Stanford University Teaching Hospital, California, USA, where I was successfully treated and now, I am happy to say that I am cancer-free thanks to their unwavering support. In a perfect world, everyone would have the kind of support which I was blessed to receive for my diagnosis, but that is far from the reality.

It is for this reason that The Albino Foundation is calling on the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health to reinstate the free skin cancer treatment that previous governments had supported, and this present government initially supported but eventually relegated that support to the background. Unfortunately, the support by the current administration for skin cancer treatment came to a halt based on the investment being deemed too expensive to continue. 

Understandably, Nigeria’s economy has taken a massive hit, but over 2 million people (data not verified) who make up the population of Person with Albinism in Nigeria should not be cast away and completely shunned by the government, especially in the wake of the skin cancer spike in Nigeria. 

Every year, About 124,000 (data not verified) Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer, over 72,000 (data not verified) of them do not survive, due to the exorbitant cost of treatment and at least 50% of those who die are Persons with Albinism. The major reason Persons with Albinism, have less of a fighting chance when they get diagnosed with cancer, is due to the lack of melanin, which provides pigment to the skin, hair, and eyes.

Melanin also absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays and protects the cells from sun damage. Hence, Persons with Albinism face frequent deaths as a scourge of skin cancer. In addition to the numerous health challenges we face as a community, a lot of Persons with Albinism have been exposed to stigma, and have been discriminated against on the basis of their physical appearance and unique difference. Many have been brutally killed because of the myths created about them being cursed.

That being said, I’ll revert the focus back to the aim of this petition. I realize that many Persons with Albinism do not have the kind of opportunity or access to medical care as I did, and that is why I am calling on the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health, to reinstate the free skin cancer treatment. While I use this medium to appeal to development partners and Civil Society Organisation (CSO) by ensuring Albinism is included in their program and project.

At the moment, the Albino Foundation, through the support of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was able to refer about 5,500 skin cancer patients with Albinism to a number of Teaching Hospitals for treatment from 2008 till date. Persons with Albinism live in abject poverty and the majority are ignorant of safety measures to take to protect themselves, such as the use of hats, wearing long sleeves, use of sunscreens, etc.

Sign this petition to get the present administration to support persons with albinism who have skin cancer by; 

1. Reinstating the free skin cancer treatment that previous governments have supported, and this present government initially supported.

 2. Inclusion of skin cancer as part of the Presidential Cancer Intervention Fund.

3. Provision of Hospice services for malignant skin cancer patients.

4. Procure and promote all relevant sun smart campaign materials. 

5. Procure sunscreen and distribute the items nationwide.

6. Authorize all establishments and institutions to permit persons with Albinism to wear long trousers and long sleeves. 

Thank you as you sign this petition

Jake Epelle,

CEO/Founder, The Albino Foundation

UN Albinism Champion, Convener, Disability Inclusion, Nigeria 

President, Albinism Association of Nigeria