Letters

They say it takes a community to get things done - that was never more evident than with the Think Pink Longest Ribbon Challenge held at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) on September 23.

On the day, more than 827 pre-registered volunteers looped the circuit to create the longest hand-held ribbon, officially measuring 13,124.65km, being approximately 105,000 pieces.

This activation would not have succeeded without your support and trust, and true belief in our charity- for which we are very much grateful.

The status of the application is with our charity lawyer as we provide the governing bodies for the record attempt with their specifics. This application processing procedure will take five to six months before we can rightfully announce a Guinness World Record.

Our independent lawyers and surveyor are adamant that this unique event will most certainly constitute a record that will last many years - none of which would have been possible if you had not believed in the charity and the event itself.

We have had an incredible awareness month this October, and can communicate with you our standing in relation to the ribbon, as for most part, the funds have been collected from the sponsors.

Our audit will take place in December, but we can communicate with you that the charity now has BD52, 921.500 (after expenses) raised from the Longest Ribbon Challenge.

This will be utilised on breast cancer specific issues in line with our three pillars: awareness, education and research. The executive board plans to fund the remaining amount due for the

•i check mobile application - the first Arabic breast self-examination application in the GCC, launching in December. This initiative was based on local research which would better educate the community about breast awareness. Being free for both Android and iPhone on Google Play and Play Store, the full project was developed by the charity as part of awareness and education

•National Breast Cancer Guidelines being developed with the support of the Supreme Council of Health and the NHRA. The International Peer Reviews will mean that it is signed off for best international evidence based best practice and the charity will take ownership of ensuring that dissemination to every family practitioner and health centre, whilst also making the algorithms and pathways available on our website, leading to better shared decision making between our patients and clinicians

•The funding in full, of up to 10 Bahraini nurses from Salmanyia Medical Complex’s Oncology Centre, to receive comprehensive training focusing on critical aspects in chemotherapy and other disciplines that will ultimately better support our community’s cancer patients. This three-month course is hosted in King Hussain Cancer Centre in Amman, Jordan, and is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Centre (ANCC), a prestigious endorsement not held in Bahrain

The charity strives to better support the kingdom’s health system by directing our attention to gaps in which we believe as an NGO can be filled to better support our community.

The strengthening of government and NGO partnerships, we believe, is a unique partnership that has predestined high impact, sustainable support networks during our 13 years in operation. We are truly grateful for your sponsorship of this event and are proud to call you partners.

Julie Sprakel and Tahera Al Alawi,

Think Pink: Bahrain Breast Cancer Society,

PO Box 15005, Adliya.

With reference to the prize competition in last week’s Cerebrally Crust & Crema page. Was this a trick question, or simply a typo? The correct answer of 6% fat should, I think, read 0.6%’ fat - the volume of fat contained in drip-filter coffee.

Regards,

Sandra Mallin, by email

Editor’s note: You are quite right - and many of our readers noticed the error of our ways. Apologies! I hope you all continue to enjoy the puzzle page.

See Page 17