Treasurer Ahmed Ali Al Nowakhda and volunteer Denise Almeer tell Behnaz Sanjana what the Bahrain Cancer Society has planned for the month earmarked for Breast Cancer Awareness.
The Bahrain Cancer Society (BCS) was formally registered in 1991 as a non-profit, civil society with the aim of supporting those afflicted by any form of cancer by a group of patients, their families, doctors and volunteers. “Members of the board of directors are predominantly medical professionals, along with some lay people,” says Ahmed. “Our group of volunteers helps out with planning and organising various events that we undertake to spread education and awareness about the disease.”
“Who hasn’t been affected by cancer, either directly or indirectly?” says Denise, speaking of the basic purpose of the BCS. “Our work helps make things a little easier for sufferers and their families, offering them financial assistance, sound advice on treatments, medical equipment and an empathetic ear. Being a cancer survivor myself, I can say that the fear and lack of knowledge when you get that diagnosis is one of the biggest challenges to overcome. What is chemotherapy like? How does one feel after radiation? Speaking to someone who’s gone through it is reassuring.”
BCS volunteers have their hands full with various activities and events lined up this month. Ahmed says: “Every October we have a month-long, nation-wide breast cancer awareness campaign. It includes easy-to- understand, educational lectures delivered to secondary schools, universities, corporates, banks and social organisations. Our teams communicate in Arabic, English, as well as in Hindi, where required.
“Our campaign’s major event is the annual walkathon, which will be taking place on Friday, October 25, in the Seef district this year. The main objective is to deliver the message of the importance of early detection and regular screening to everyone in the community. It is what can save lives. In addition, we encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle – exercise, a good diet and avoiding junk food and smoking.
Denise continues: “Many schools and social organisations participate in this fun day for a good cause. We distribute pamphlets about breast cancer and screening and sell little knick-knacks like pink ribbon pins for a nominal price, proceeds of which go towards breast cancer support.”
The awareness is not only targeted to women, but also the men in society. “When men realise the importance of what we are saying, they pass it on to their wives, mothers, sisters and daughters,” says Ahmed.
BCS spearheads the ‘Manama Pink City’ campaign, where several buildings in the capital, including all the important landmark structures, are lit up in pink to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month. Other organisations choose to collaborate with the BCS to hold fund-raising events to underline this issue and donate the proceeds to the cause.
Free breast cancer screenings for Bahraini nationals are available at government hospitals like Salmaniya Medical Complex and King Hamad University Hospital, as well as health centres around the island.
