Personal Pink endeavours

ONE of the kingdom’s five-star hotels will be going perfectly pink all this month in support of the annual campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer, writes Mai Al Khatib-Camille.

It’s more than just another corporate social responsibly initiative; it’s something much more personal for the founder of The Four Seasons and its Bahrain Bay hotel’s general manager.

Cancer touched the family of legendary hotelier Isadore Sharp and his wife, Rosalie, prominent Canadian philanthropists, when they lost a teenage son to melanoma, and general manager Richard Raab’s beloved grandmother died of cancer when he was a child.

Richard explained: “Four Seasons worldwide is very keen to support research into this terrible disease and the founder has inspired all of us in the company to continue the pioneering work to raise awareness and find a cure.

“My grandmother back home in Norway passed away due to the disease which makes it close to me as well. Cancer touches so many people.”

This month The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay will be stepping up its efforts with a wide variety of culinary experiences, special arrangements and spa treatments during breast cancer awareness month and guests will have numerous opportunities to support Think Pink Bahrain.

Veronika Szabo, the hotel’s director of public relations and communications, said:  “We have made sure all the facilities that we have this year, such as our seven restaurants, spa facilities and rooms, are fully involved in the campaign.

“Whoever stays with us during October, for example, upon check out, can donate to the cause. The minimum is BD1 and last year we had guests who were happy to donate a couple of hundred dinars to show their support, it was amazing.

“We had tremendous feedback on social media too which gave us immense strength and inspiration to continue what we had started.”

The hotel has added a variety of activities and attractions to generate support from guests and visitors such as pink drinks by the pool, hosting a special Pink High Tea and offering pink macaroons and roses in the Lobby Alcove.

The hotel’s spa is also providing Pink Spa specials with a donation of BD2 for every Chakra Essence Ritual and BD1 for every Chakra Massage Collection treatment booked during October.

The hotel’s spa members, as well as its employees, will also be offered ‘Pink Talks: Frankly Speaking About Cancer’, a series of carefully-crafted sessions hosted by Julie Sprakel, founder and spokesperson of Think Pink Bahrain.

According to Richard, the brunch is also something to look forward to. He said: “Our chefs are very excited and have enjoyed the challenge of creating something special and decorating an amazing pink buffet.

“The dessert section in particular has lent itself naturally towards a pink theme.

“Our brunch will be a great way to come together with family and friends to enjoy fabulous food for a good cause. We are really looking forward to a successful month.”

Every Friday, the Four Seasons Pink Brunch will be staged at the Bahrain Bay Kitchen and on October 11, diners can go oriental with a special Tastes of Autumn: A Five-Course Gourmet Dinner at re/Asian Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck, with BD2 from each ticket sold going to the charity.

The highlight of the month will be the official Think Pink Bahrain Azure Party held on October 27 from 9pm to 2am. Richard said: “This is something new for this year at our Azure pool with private cabanas and tables. It will feature a lot of fun and entertainment and Think Pink Bahrain will benefit from the support of all those who attend.”

People around the world are rallying together this month to raise awareness for breast cancer in honour of those fighting the disease, sadly lost their lives to it as well as those who have survived.

The illness is close to GulfWeekly chief reporter Mai Al Khatib-Camille’s heart. Her beloved auntie Wafa is a breast cancer survivor. Her uncle Nabil, however, did not fare so lucky and lost his life to cancer.

“My father-in-law also passed away from the silent killer which shook the entire family and he is missed by all very much,” she added. “In December of last year, one day before Christmas, we lost my aunty Hala to cancer. Losing her was another difficult blow to bear. Our loved ones will forever remain in our minds and in our hearts.”

In honour of them, this year she had a hair-brained idea to launch her own initiative. Three years ago, she had her hair cut at Beauty Spot Salon in Hamala to donate to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which supplies real-hair wigs to children suffering from cancer and other conditions. She returned on Thursday to have her hair dyed pink as part of a #MaiGonePink drive to raise funds for Think Pink Bahrain. Marketing and social media manager Nikki Bonnici and the salon’s senior stylists Natalie and Minnie sponsored her new pink look.

Readers can show support by visiting www.thinkpinkbahrain.com or call into the Muse store, Think Pink Bahrain’s logistic and merchandise sales partner, in Al Aali Shopping Complex, to make a donation and adding the catch-line #MaiGonePink.