Omolola Salako Wins Astellas’ Oncology C³ Grand Prize
Omolola Salako, founder of Oncopadi Digital Cancer Clinic has been announced the winner of the fifth annual Astellas Pharma C³ Grand Prize, after successfully pitching her idea to a panel of leaders in business, innovation and oncology. Through her digital platform Oncopadi, Omolola is helping cancer patients to access the right specialist care. Oncopadi uses web and mobile platforms to connect cancer patients with specialists and hospitals they need to access professional care in Nigeria.
The C³ Prize is powered by Astellas, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving global health through providing innovative and reliable pharmaceutical solutions
This year, three innovators, including Omolola and two Innovation Prize winners – Dr Valerie Arango Velez and Lisa McKenzie were awarded $200,000 in total grants and resources for their work to “Change Cancer Care” beyond medicine. Omolola received $100,000 in grants and resources to advance her winning idea, while the Innovation Prize Winners received $50,000 each. Alongside the funding, all winners are entitled to a yearlong complimentary membership to MATTER, a global healthcare startup incubator, community nexus and corporate innovation accelerator.
Launched in 2016, the C³ Prize has developed into a transformative global initiative. Tagged “Changing Cancer Care”, the C³ Prize is a global challenge that advances ideas beyond medicine to improve on daily challenges faced by people with cancer, their caregivers and the broader oncology community. The challenge aims to address the complexities of the cancer journey by funding the best idea in cancer care beyond medicine. The C³ Prize triggers innovative developments in cancer care and tackles cancer challenges by awarding prize money to winners and connecting them with resources and support.
Omolola Salako is a radiation oncologist and innovator, who aims to solve complex problems in cancer care. She is also the founder of Sebeccly Cancer Care, a non-profit platform committed to helping breast cancer patients fulfil their survivorship potential through education, research advocacy, treatment support and delivery of high-quality care. Omolola was inspired to change cancer care in 2003, after her sister passed away from advanced kidney cancer.
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With the grants and resources received from the C³ Grand Prize, Omolola plans to expand the reach of Oncopadi, in order to enable more people to connect with specialists and receive treatment at the early stage.
Congratulations to Omolola Salako, we are rooting for her.