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After a decade of raising funds and the profile of breast cancer awareness, Think Pink Bahrain has amassed around BD700,000 for the cause.
The non-profit registered charity, which stages a number of fundraising events throughout October, has been working relentlessly since its inception in 2004 to encourage more women to take preventative measures.
Founder Jules Sprakel said: “I am extremely proud of this milestone. This is evident in the amount raised over the 10 years.
“The core principle of Think Pink Bahrain’s philosophy is education as it is the first step to prevention. When we educate our mothers, daughters, sisters and nieces, we can help them make informed decisions, which may ultimately save their lives.
“Our on-going investment in education will enable the people of Bahrain to receive and have access to the best healthcare professions with a holistic approach to breast cancer treatment.”
The team has fully-funded nine health care professionals who have achieved international certification from the renowned Klose Institute in Germany to provide lymphoedema treatment.
These nurses and physiotherapists are working in all three teaching hospitals in Bahrain, Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services and King Hamad University Hospital.
The charity has also covered two-years tuition for four nurses at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) to receive their MSc - a qualification not found anywhere-else in the GCC.
The organisation’s biggest accomplishment is providing a digital MRI machine to (SMC) which cost BD490,000 and will be installed and operational by February 2015. It will be available to all nationals and expatriates.
Jules says the organisation’s mission is to empower people at grass-root levels through collaboration with local affiliates to continue to promote the importance of education and screening programmes and community-based outreach projects.
In 2013, the team encouraged men to play an active role too and is following suit this year with the slogan ‘Together We Save Lives …Hers’.
Jules said: “Men want what is best for the women in their lives – their mothers, sisters and wives. If women feel encouraged, they’ll do what’s best for their health and take part in an icheck.
“We urge men to join hands with the women in their lives so that cancer prevention can be tackled together. Ultimately, early prevention is the key to saving lives. Based on the research we did, we’re confident this message will resonate with the men of Bahrain.”
The 10th anniversary platinum sponsors that help make it possible are RCSI Bahrain, Gulf Brands International, LOWE MENA, Royal Golf Club and the Ritz Carlton Hotel & Spa. LOWE MENA has also supported the cause for several years, collaborating with the charity through working on artwork and branding.
A celebratory gala evening event will be held on October 17 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Spa. Soufiane El Allam, the director of sales and marketing, said: “The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa is proud to support Think Pink Bahrain and be the host of the gala evening event.
“We value the importance of early diagnosis and are delighted to help in raising awareness about breast cancer among the people we love.
“We hope that this campaign will make a resounding impact not just in October, but throughout the year.”
The Royal Golf Club is also staging golfing events to support the cause for the ninth consecutive year on October 16 for both the ladies and gents.
Bernie Morgan, the club’s director of golf, said: “Almost every individual knows someone who has been affected at some time in their lives by breast cancer which is why so many members and staff at the Royal Golf Club team are happy to have been involved in this very worthwhile cause.”
Meanwhile, Troon Golf, the Royal Golf Club’s management company, will similarly be supporting international breast cancer awareness efforts in October. Pink pin flags and cups will be used on Troon golf courses around the world throughout the month to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention screening exams.
* For further details, visit www.thinkpinkbahrain.com or facebook/thinkpinkbahrain and see GolfWeekly on Page 22.
