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Women shoppers and visitors received free breast examinations over the weekend at a community mall as part of a fundraising festival set up to educate people about breast cancer.
The popular Saar Mall and the 6/10 Women Wellness Project, aimed at empowering women of all ages in the kingdom through fitness and defence classes under the leadership of Noora Al Muhanna, collaborated together to host The Better Health - Better Her Breast Cancer Charity event.
The aim of Saturday afternoon was to help educate families about the disease as well as raise funds for Think Pink Bahrain and the Bahrain Cancer Society.
Esmahan Bokhowa, the mall’s director said: “This event isn’t just to raise awareness and funds but also to help educate women and men that early detection can save lives.
“We wanted to empower people with the knowledge and know-how on how to better care for themselves, to spot symptoms and to not be afraid to ask questions. Knowledge is power.”
More than 500 families and friends flocked to the event to seek guidance from medical professionals from Al Kindi Hospital and Bahrain Specialist Hospital. A group of doctors were posted up in five rooms to check women for signs of breast cancer and to answer any questions they may have.
Each room was divided by pink curtains to allow for privacy whilst examinations were conducted.
Al Kindi hospital general practitioner Dr Heba Omar, urged women to check themselves once a month for any breast abnormalities and if a lump was discovered or something suspicious found, to get it checked.
Doctors carried out examinations and explained to patients how best to check themselves when at home. More than 200 women were checked.
As people queued up to get tested on Saturday, nurses and doctors were available to check blood pressure, height and weight.
Shoppers snapped up pink ribbons, shoe laces, shirts and totes from the Think Pink Bahrain merchandising stall located in the mini market in the mall lobby.
Different retailers sold baked goods, flowers, art work and other pink-hued memorabilia in support of the cause.
Students from different universities and many individual supporters volunteered their time in support of the initiative.
Artist Majda Cesko, from A’ali, sold her paintings for BD25 to raise funds for the charity. She said: “This is a great cause and we should all do our part to help.”
There was also a donation box in the centre of the lobby for people to donate whatever funds they please and it will remain there until the end of the month to later be distributed to the charity.
Talks were also held by breast cancer survivors and doctors such as Dr Fadi Al-Tawash to educate women. Inspirational Italian Elisabetta Massey, a certified self-defence, fitness and Zumba coach who runs classes at the 6/10 Project located in Sanad, shared her story.
She battled with thyroid cancer a few years back and after recovering, discovered that she had breast cancer which resulted in a mastectomy. She continues to stand tall and encourages other women to keep fighting and not give up. She urges women not to be scared about getting checked.
