Get set to Think Pink!

Bahrain’s corporate world has once again rallied round to give a boost to the annual sponsorship drive spearheaded by Think Pink Bahrain, the inspirational local charity set up in 2004 to raise funds and promote awareness of breast cancer in the kingdom. 

Platinum sponsors, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI-MUB), Gulf Brands International and the Royal Golf Club have continued to pledge their support to the community initiative this year by donating more than BD5,000 in either cash or services.
 
Gulf Air is also on board as the official carrier of the campaign and many of its crew members will be spotted wearing the signature Think Pink uniforms at various events.

A major mission of the campaign, which gains momentum in the next few days, is the BD880,000 purchase of a digital Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine for the Salmaniya Medical Complex. Thirty per cent of the cost has already been raised.

Gulf Brands International’s general manager Ron Peters said: “By far the biggest event for Gulf Brands is our support for the Annual Think Pink Gala Ball held at the Gulf Hotel’s Exhibition Centre. This is always a high-profile, sell-out event. We also play a supporting role in the Annual Think Pink Ladies Golf Day held at the Royal Golf Club.

“What really touched home for me was the need to raise the profile of the awareness and educational aspects of the campaign. And, this is what helps stimulate Gulf Brands support for anything that helps Jules and the Think Pink team drive the message home.”

Dr Faisal Al Mousawi, president of RCSI-MUB said: “We align ourselves with this charity as we have strong beliefs for its mission and visions – awareness and education.

“The purchase of the digital MRI machine will be a valuable asset to Bahrain.”

Founder Jules Sprakel said the charity aims to empower people at a grass roots level through collaboration with local affiliates to continue to promote the importance of education and screening programmes and community-based outreach projects.

The determined team has over the past eight years raised staggering sums towards breast cancer initiatives in Bahrain of which BD120,000 has been directed towards the national mammogram drive and BD150,000 has gone towards the MRI fund. The latter has been established with the support of the Ministry of Health and is under the management of Mohammed Fakhroo and Bros, Phillips agents for Bahrain.

Jules said: “We are proud to say that we are 30 per cent of the way to the completion and purchase of this machine.
“We can only achieve this with the continuous support over the years of corporate bodies, institutions and the local community.

“I am very proud to live in a community that rallies together and has made Think Pink Bahrain a permanent fixture on the calendar.”

Although Think Pink members work throughout the year spreading their message through lecturers and presentations to local schools and businesses, efforts are at full swing to turn the island pink and join the rest of the world in celebrating International Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October.

Think Pink Bahrain campaigners have organised a variety of activities including walkathons, fitness days, golfing events and painting ceramics.

There will also be a ‘kick up your heels’ walkathon on October 15 at Bahrain City Centre. The City Walkers keep fit enthusiasts alongside Fitness First will be staging a 3km walk of hope which is open to all for a BD5 registration fee.

Jules added: “Breast cancer is not race, religion or class-orientated. It is only with research, education, early intervention and public awareness that we can fight this disease.

“This is only the beginning of our journey to tackle breast cancer awareness in the kingdom. Together we can make a difference.”