Telecom
Swedish Firm Launches War on Cancer App on iOS and Android
War On Cancer, Swedish-based tech company that aims to improve the mental health of everyone affected by cancer, with future partnerships set to bridge the gap between patients and crucial oncology research through users opting in to share their health data, has been launched on iOS and Android.
Co-founded by 32-year-old Fabian Bolin, ceo, War On Cancer who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2015 (currently in remission following 900 days of chemotherapy), the War On Cancer storytelling platform allows users to share their journey through pictures, stories and updates which help them to inspire and be inspired.
With 2018 research from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) showing that 1 in 5 cancer patients suffer from depression, compared to 1 in 20 across the general population, the free-to-download War On Cancer app aims to radically improve the mental well being of everyone affected by cancer, enabling people to feel, often for the first time, that they do not have to go through their experiences alone, while simultaneously empowering them to make a genuine difference to the lives of others.
War On Cancer facilitates more authentic connections when compared to other platforms: helping patients, survivors, and loved ones to interact with, follow, and discover people sharing real-life experiences.
The Inspiration Behind War On Cancer The technology company was co-founded in 2015 by CEO, Fabian Bolin, and COO, Sebastian Hermelin.
Earlier that year, Fabian, a former investment banker in London’s Canary Wharf, had been diagnosed with leukaemia, a type of blood cancer.
From his hospital bed, Fabian uploaded a post to Facebook which went viral, attracting 13,000 shares within the first 24 hours.
Enthused by this response, he went on to blog about his experiences of battling cancer and, through doing this, realised the positive effects that storytelling had on his own mental health, and the impact that a digital platform which allows people from all over the world to share their own experiences.
Fabian Bolin, ceo and co-founder, War On Cancer said: “We help people affected by cancer to engage, learn, and thrive. From my own experiences of fighting cancer, I know too well the mental trauma that comes with it, and I often didn’t feel as though I was treated like a human being.
“One of the hardest things that people have to deal with is the severe loss of their self-worth and self-esteem.
“Our aim is to unite people all over the world with others going through similar experiences to ensure that no one feels as though they have to fight their illness alone.”
War On Cancer and researchers at Stockholm’s world-renowned Karolinska Institute are currently applying for funding for a research project to explore the effects that using War On Cancer has on patients’ mental well being.
The completion of this study will provide validation that could potentially result in the platform being digitally prescribed to cancer patients by healthcare professionals.
Anna Mia Ekström, Professor, MD, MPH, PhD, and Research Group Leader at Karolinska Institute, said: “The profound loss of self-worth is the largest contributory factor to mental illness amongst patients.
“This is especially true for those with serious and stigmatizing diagnoses such as cancer and HIV.
“This is a neglected area of research on which we need to focus more in the future, as it potentially holds the keys to radically improved quality of care and life for both patients and their loved ones.”
At launch, War On Cancer’s focus will be on fostering and sustaining a community which will help it to achieve its mission of improving the mental health of everyone affected by cancer, but is in ongoing and advanced discussions with leading organisations within the healthcare and life sciences sectors, as well as renowned universities and researchers.
War On Cancer is passionate about data ownership being given back to users, and with these partnerships will create a new data sharing dynamic in which nothing is provided to external organisations without a user giving their consent.
Through this transparent and consensual data sharing, War On Cancer will empower its users to have a genuine, positive impact on the wider cancer ecosystem, which further increases their sense of self-worth.
According to Research! Sweden , 95% of the Swedish population is willing to share their health data, such as the result of a blood test of the effectiveness of certain treatments, for research and health purposes.
“Moving forward, we will empower cancer patients to contribute to research,” adds Fabian Bolin.
“This not only has a huge impact on their mental health and sense of self-worth, but also helps to drive genuine advancements within the field and save lives.
“This will play a crucial role in the acceleration of research and healthcare, help to facilitate more successful clinical trials, and provide users with an even greater sense of purpose.”
Technology Company, Globacom, has announced significant reductions in its International Direct Dialing (IDD) rates, making international calls more affordable for its existing and new customers across Nigeria.
Effective August 10, the new rates began applying to over 15 popular international destinations, including United States which will has moved to ₦30 per minute, down from ₦35, United Kingdom is now N350 from ₦400, while India also moved down to ₦40 from N45.
The rates for China, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon however recorded major reduction moving to N75, N300 and ₦700 respectively.
The reduction was also extended to African countries including Benin Republic which goes for ₦650 per minute, Niger Republic ₦750, Ghana ₦500, and Togo ₦650. United Arab Emirates also moved from ₦450 to ₦325, Germany to ₦550, Côte d’Ivoire ₦700, Libya ₦700, while calls to Malawi is now N1,100 from ₦1,200.
Glo aims to provide more value for its customers through these revised rates, encouraging them to make Glo their preferred network for international calls. New IDD bundles will also be introduced, offering frequent international callers even more attractive deals.
Globacom, which remained optimistic that frequent international callers will benefit immensely from the reductions in IDD bundles, enjoined customers to take advantage of the new rates to stay connected with friends and business associates across the globe.
President Bola Tinubu has appointment members into the boards of the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Universal Service Provision Fund, both under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Idris Olorunnimbe was named Chairman of the NCC board, while Dr Aminu Wada will continue as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a position he was appointed to in October 2023 and confirmed by the Senate the following month.
Onanuga said Olorunnimbe previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee.
Other NCC board members are Abraham Oshidami (Executive Commissioner, Technical Services), Rimini Makama (Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management), Hajia Maryam Bayi, Col Abdulwahab Lawal (retd.), Senator Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, and the board secretary.
The President also approved the board of the USPF, chaired by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, with Olorunnimbe as Vice Chairman.
Other members are Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (representative of FMCIDE), Joseph B. Faluyi (representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance), Auwal Mohammed (representative of FMBNP), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon, Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri, and the USPF secretary.
See the statement below:
PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS BOARD MEMBERS FOR NCC AND USPF
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constituted the boards of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), both agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Idris Olorunnimbe was appointed Chairman of NCC, while Dr Aminu Waida remains its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer.
President Tinubu appointed Wada to the position in October 2023, and the Senate confirmed the appointment in November 2023.
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Mr. Olorunnimbe previously served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Board, where he chaired the Stakeholder and Governance Committee and drove impactful youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes.
Other members of the board are:
1. Abraham Oshidami – Executive Commissioner, Technical Services
2. Rimini Makama – Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management
3. Hajia Maryam Bayi- Former Director, Human Capital & Administration
4. Col Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd)
5. Senator Lekan Mustafa
6. Chris Okorie
7. Princess Oforitsenere Emiko
8. Secretary of the Board.
The President also approved the Board of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), with Dr Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as Chairman.
Other members are :
1. Idris Olorunimbe – Vice Chairman
2. Abraham Oshidami
3. Rimini Makama
4. Aliyu Edogi Aliyu – (Rep FMCIDE)
5. Joseph B Faluyi – (Rep. of Federal Ministry of Finance)
6. Auwal Mohammed – (Rep. of FMBNP)
7. Uzoma Dozie
8. Peter Bankole
9. Abayomi Anthony Okanlawon
10. Gafar Oluwasegun Quadri and the
11. USPF Secretary
The Federal Government established the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal access and service to information and communication technologies (ICTs) in rural, unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria.
Anambra State ICT Agency has restated its commitment to creating a digitally inclusive environment where Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) can access and benefit from government services without barriers.
Speaking when the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ADRC), in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, paid an advocacy visit to his office, the Managing Director/CEO of the ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, underscored the Soludo administration’s determination to make governance work for all, including PWDs.
Mr. Agbata noted that intentional inclusion is a key part of the Governor’s technology-driven vision for the state which is why the commission recently received a wide range of digital tools to enhance their productivity.
“Technology is only truly impactful when it works for everyone, regardless of physical ability.
We are committed to removing digital barriers and making our platforms accessible to all residents of Anambra State,” he said.
CFA also disclosed that the Agency will take immediate steps to appoint a Disability Desk Officer, work with the commission to ensure that all government ICT platforms are designed to meet accessibility standards, and as well as incorporate PWD-friendly features into ongoing upgrades of the SolutionLens feedback platform.
The visit also featured presentations from ADRC’s Head of ICT, Mr. Bonaventure Umeokwonna, who outlined the Commission’s priorities, and RoLAC representatives, who pledged continued support for building capacity and strengthening the policy framework for inclusion.
Mr. Valentine Nwachukwu, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Commission, gave the vote of thanks, commending the ICT Agency’s openness to collaboration.
The Anambra State ICT Agency continues to work closely with ministries, departments, and agencies to deepen digital transformation in the state, ensuring that no segment of society is left behind.
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