KOTA KINABALU: October 1 marks the start of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month here in the city and elsewhere around the world.
Natrah (seated, second right), Fiona Hagan (seated, second left) and Kim Chan (standing front row, seventh right) with other KPR members during the launch of Pinktober Month yesterday.
One of the most active local breast cancer associations, the Kinabalu Pink Ribbon (KPR), is promoting simple awareness messages about breast cancer and encouraging people to participate in pink ribbon initiatives and the war against the tragic disease.
October is closely identified with breast cancer cause, which is commonly referred to as Pinktober, and according to the president of KPR, Natrah Mohd Arif, Pinktober is dedicated to celebrating life, spreading awareness and going pink in support of the fight against breast cancer.
“Breast cancer does not discriminate. It could be your wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, or that very important male in your life,” she added.
With that realisation and participating in the cause for the fourth year, KPR yesterday launched the Pinktober 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Le Meridien Hotel.
KPR, which has over 500 members statewide, performs frequent visits and counselling to breast cancer patients in hospitals. In Kota Kinabalu, Natrah said KPR sees two to three new breast cancer patients every week.
“With the growing number of members as well as patients in need of emotional support, we need a resource centre. KPR needs a building or space for our gatherings as well as for activities and meetings. Therefore, aside from raising awareness, we also use Pinktober to raise funds for the KPR Building Fund,” Natrah said at a press conference here yesterday.
To date, a few parties have stepped forward to become sponsors for Pinktober, which includes Le Meridien Hotel.
General manager of Le Meridien, Fiona Hagan, said the hotel would run an awareness program and donate ten percent of its weekend and public holiday Imersion Hi Tea proceeds, and a percentage of its Pinktober Room Package to the association during October.
Meanwhile, a line-up of events have also been planned by KPR during the Pinktober month, namely breast cancer awareness talks in corporate offices on October 3, a roadshow in Kudat on October 6, and a talk on Advanced Breast Cancer targeted for breast cancer survivors on October 9, courtesy of Esai (M) Sdn Bhd.
KPR Tawau Branch will arrange its second Pink Run and a solo head-shaving event of its chairperson on October 12, where the run will be flagged off by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap,
For KPR Sandakan Branch, members will host a Pink Gala Night Dinner which will be officiated by Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs on October 26. Both activities are to raise the much needed funds for the branches.
Dance With Me Studio, a staunch supporter of the breast cancer cause, has also pledged to donate certain proceeds from its Tango Gala Night and Dinner to be held in conjunction with Pinktober month. Dancers from Argentina will be the highlight of the event.
“For the first time during Pinktober month, a Pink Ride bicycle ride covering a distance of 23 kilometers will be flagged off by another sponsor, the Zara’s Boutique Hotel. Participation in the ride is free, with an option to wear their own pink T-shirts or purchase a limited edition T-shirt from KPR as a donation,” said Natrah.
Another highlight of the Pinktober month is a well-known girl guider, Datuk Kim Chan, who has volunteered to shave her head for a worthy cause in return for pledges she raised for the awareness month.
“I have three friends who had passed away because of breast cancer. Since then, I am determined to make an impact to raise awareness on breast cancer among the community. I am not rich and I am not from a rich family. Therefore, the most I can do for this association is to shave my head,” Kim Chan said.
She also explained that she was doing the cause in memory of those who had died from breast cancer, as well as those who survived from the disease.
“KPR will be the sole benefactor of the donation collected,” Kim Chan added.
In conjunction with Pinktober month, the College of Radiology, Kuala Lumpur has allocated a grant for the extension of subsidized mammogram programs to benefit the people of Sabah. Free clinical breast examinations are also being provided by Klinik Malaysia, here.
Meanwhile, KPR has helped pay the accommodation of breast cancer patients at a privately run Kingfisher Hostel within Kota Kinabalu, under its patient welfare fund.
Natrah is encouraging the public to demonstrate support of the breast cancer awareness month by showing commitment to fighting breast cancer, raising awareness to help detect it in its early stages and supporting those affected by the disease, the second leading cause of death among women.
The public could also help by donating, fund raising, volunteering or becoming a sponsor in educating and providing support services to women in need.
For more information about the Pinktober events, please contact KPR careline at 016-8038553 or email at kinabalupinkribbon@gmail.com.