Tahera is Vice Chair of Think Pink, the breast cancer charity, and founder Jules Sprakel says her commitment and passion make her an inspiration and “someone I look up too”.
How long have you been involved with Think Pink and what made you join up?
I joined Think Pink in 2005. I had just returned from university in the UK and had used the family business during October as a platform to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Julie was receptive and supportive and invited me to become one of the founding members of the charity.
How do you find the time as you seem to be very involved in everything the organisation does?
The charity holds a very special place in my heart and is something I have total commitment and dedication for. During our initial years Julie and I both had demanding full-time jobs, but we would meet after work, weekends… I consider my work at Think Pink as a responsibility and therefore make time for it daily as I do with family and work.
What, for you, has been the high point of the last 10 years?
I think the highest point would be the day we received the official registration in May 2010. Julie and I had fought very hard to establish the first breast cancer specific charity in the Kingdom. Then again, there were many high points, the installation of the breast specific MRI at Salmaniya Medical Complex, for example, was the result of years of hard work and fund raising, the completion of the National Breast Cancer Guidelines ….
Would you encourage other women to become involved in volunteering and, if yes, why?
Absolutely! I was not touched by breast cancer when I first joined the charity. My sole purpose was to give back to the community and Think Pink was my charity of choice. I wanted to help in any capacity. I would sell ribbons, go to schools, drive to lectures with Julie, prepare presentations for corporate donations. It was only 10 years later that someone very close was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and I saw how all of us, at some point in our lives, would be touched by the disease. I applaud all who volunteer in their respective capacities. There is something so rewarding in volunteer work.
