PEOPLE in Bahrain are being encouraged to get moving and go the distance to raise awareness about breast cancer next month.
The charity champions will be launching the Dinar for Distance (D4D) campaign during October’s breast cancer awareness month with the aim of supporting the Think Pink Research Fund, the biggest research fund on the island that will be unveiled in 2022.
The concept came about when Professor Julie Sprakel, Think Pink Bahrain’s founder and chairperson, was placed in hotel quarantine in Australia.
Living in a 5x6 metre space for two weeks meant limited movement. Armed with nothing but a watch and the local music channel, Ms Sprakel set about walking back and forth in the room once a day.
Over the two weeks, she covered more than 42km in distance in her hotel room, and so the Think Pink 2021 idea was born.
“I am driven this year by my dad who passed in July,” said Ms Sprakel.
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The Dinar For Distance campaign
Determined
“The reason I was in quarantine in March was to say my farewells. He told me during the last few days how proud he was of all ‘his girls’ and to never give up. So I am determined to have a positive impact once again for Bahrain and a bigger activation than our 2017 Longest Ribbon Challenge ... this time it’s all self-directed and it is up to you.”
Individuals can pledge to run, walk, cycle, swim or whatever exercise they would like for a distance and the goal can be sponsored by friends, family and colleagues to raise the amount pledged.
“The charity is aware of the current situation and how quickly things can change,” said Ms Sprakel.
“One factor that has been constant through the last two years has been the ability to exercise. D4D falls in line with our health and fitness advocacy and is a pledge to yourself and the community.”
Participants can register as an individual, a corporate or a school via www.thinkpinkbahrain.com by paying a BD2 fee.
Ms Sprakel will pledge to walk or swim or cycle 50km during October and plans to raise BD50.
The charity will accumulate the distances reached during October, knowing that it also fits with “Well Being” schemes, community engagement departments, student council and/or CAS projects.
“As with every year, there will be an award for corporate/business and schools as part of our committed community engagement strategy, and will be based on D4D engagement of this campaign,” explained Ms Sprakel.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and a reminder for individuals to get themselves checked and to continue raising funds for research and cure of this fatal illness.
In Bahrain, according to 2020 figures by the International Agency for Research on Cancer Globocan, a subsidiary of the World Health Organisation, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer on the island, accounting for 20.1 per cent of the total cases. It accounts for 37.9pc of cancers among women in the country, followed by colorectal, ovary, corpus-uteri and lung.
Breast cancer traces to family history, age, hormonal disorders, use of birth control pills, menopause, and weight gain.
Meanwhile, a new device, the EnCor Enspire Breast Biopsy System, for removing and eradicating breast tumours without surgery has been launched at the King Hamad University Hospital.
For details about the D4D campaign, visit www.thinkpinkbahrain.com
mai.alkhatib@gulfweekly.com
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