Bahraini.TV

Bahrain turns pink!

by mahmood on 13/10/07 at 8:29 pm · email  · print  

Bahrain is turning pink as companies, schools and individuals join a nationwide initiative to raise money and awareness in aid of breast cancer.

A charity gala dinner, lectures and fitness activities are some of the events being planned to mark World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which falls every year in October.

The Think Pink Bahrain initiative is one of the driving forces behind raising awareness and funds in support of breast cancer.

The non-profit initiative operates under the umbrella of the Bahrain Cancer Society and all money raised is directed to them.

Think Pink Bahrain, composed of 10 Bahraini and expatriate volunteers, has raised more than BD32,000 since it was launched in July 2005.

It organises two fundraising events a year – a golf tournament and a gala dinner.

This year’s Think Pink Bahrain Annual Gala Dinner will be held at 7.30pm on October 26 at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir.

About 350 people will attend the dinner and tickets for the event have already sold out.

“We sold out three weeks before the event! It’s really struck a chord,” Think Pink founder Julie Sparkel told the GDN.

“I think all the hard work that has been put in over the last two years has really paid off.

“We’ve had different sponsors this year, which shows awareness is increasing. And it’s not all companies, individuals have got together and booked tables.

“For some who have lost people to cancer, supporting such an event is their way of honouring that person.”

The Bahrain-based intensive care nurse said its main mission was raising awareness about breast cancer and helping to save lives.

She said promoting awareness had to be a continuous process because even in Western communities, that had been exposed to information about breast cancer for years, some taboos still existed.

“Taboos do exist in different communities about cancer,” explained Ms Sparkel, who launched the charity initiative following a personal history of benign breast lumps.

“But the more people that stand up and say they are affected the better. And the more we stand together in our community, the sooner it will be detected and treated.”

According to the World Health Organisation 1.2 million people worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and one to two per cent of them are men.

One in four women will find a lump, but not all will be cancerous. Ms Sparkel said women often put off going to the doctor about anything suspicious in their breasts because as caregivers they have a ‘it can’t happen to me’ mentality. But Think Pink Bahrain aims to change this, she said.

“We want to tell people not to ignore it though 90pc of lumps are non-cancerous, like for me,” she noted.

“We advocate monthly self-breast examinations, the main reason is that you get to know if there is a change – cancer cells hold onto muscles and are hard.

“You need to do it at the right time every month, which is five days post your period, or if you no longer have periods, then you could do it on pay day, which can act as a reminder every month.”

For more information about the organisation and to sponsor any of its events, or to give a donation, contact Ms Sparkel on 39076717, or e-mail jules_sprakel@hotmail.com.

Meanwhile, various fitness clubs will raise awareness and money for breast cancer over the next six weeks.

World Beat Fitness Centre will hold an open day on October 20, from 10am to 6pm at its premises in Saar.

Entrance fee is BD10 for unlimited classes. Participants can choose from a wide range of classes including Pilates, circuit training, spinning, Nia, belly dancing, yoga and others.

American Mission Hospital (AMH) will also be holding a talk on breast health and conducting examinations, as well as teaching self-examination techniques. All proceeds will be donated to the Think Pink Bahrain campaign.

The event will be for women only in the morning until 2pm, but families are welcome from 2pm onwards.

For more information, visit www.worldbeatfitness.com, or contact 17612576.

EZ Fit in Saar will hold three fitness events on October 30 to raise money. The women-only events include steps at weights, steps and bums and Taibo.

Each session is BD3, but further donations are welcome.

For more information, contact EZ Fit on 17692378.

On November 2, from 9am to 1pm, Bodyline in Saar will hold various events including yoga, ballet, Pilates, spinning, boxing and step classes.

Some classes are mixed and others are for women only. Each class is BD10 and includes entry into a draw. All proceeds will be donated to Think Pink Bahrain.

For more information and to book, contact 17793932.

A team taking part in the Bahrain Marathon Relay on November 23 at the BIC is planning to raise awareness and money.

While another team participating in the AMH Island Classic charity golf tournament from November 15 to 17 at His Majesty King Hamad private golf course in Safriya will also raise awareness about breast cancer.