An Evening Walk To Symbolise The Challenges Of Breast Cancer Survivors
Wednesday, October 22 2008
|
Event entitled ‘Pink Bridges – Walk For the Women In Our Lives’ |
|
Participants to walk from Mount Faber Park to HortPark |
Singapore, 22 October 2008 – Some 300 participants will spend an evening walking from Mount Faber Park to HortPark as a gesture to symbolize the many challenges overcome by breast cancer survivors.
Titled Pink Bridges – Walk for the Women in Our Lives, the event is organized by the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) with Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on Saturday, 25 Oct 2008 to underscore this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) message that women need the support from everyone around to fight against breast cancer.
The event involves participants making a 3-km walk from Mount Faber Park to HortPark, and will be a befitting wrap up to for this year’s BCAM 2008. The illuminated bridges will make a beautiful backdrop for the participants to pose for photographs with their families, friends and supporters.
Chairman for the BCAM Committee, Dr Ho Gay Hui, who is a senior consultant at NCCS, said the participants comprised not only women but also their families and friends such as husbands, fathers and sons. Also participating are healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, researchers and even administration staff.
“By coming for this event, we want all women to know that the people around them care for them and would help to remind them of the need to go for regular screening against breast cancer. In the case of those who survived, the walk will hold special meaning to them as they have crossed many hurdles and nothing will change their determination to lead normal lives,” said Dr Ho.
Women are encouraged to go for regular breast cancer screenings as it constitutes a major part of an effective defense against the disease.
“But motivation to arrange for regular screenings should not solely originate from themselves but from those around them as well, including men, who need to proactively remind women in their lives of the importance of regular screening,” she said.
Referring to the fact that the walk would take participants over iconic bridges like the Henderson Waves and Alexandra Arch, Dr Ho said: “This act symbolizes the many treacherous crossings in life that patients, families and healthcare partners have to endure in their fight against breast cancer together.”
NCCS Director, Prof Soo Khee Chee, said that ‘Pink Bridges – Walk For the Women In Our Lives’ is a fitting conclusion to Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2008.
He said: “We have had a fruitful programme this year, with healthy responses to many activities such as the public forums. What better way then to cap it off than with a fun-filled physical activity that embodies one of the central messages of the campaign, while at the same time allowing its participants to reinforce their ties with their friends, family, supporters and also nature itself?”
“NCCS will continue to seek out new opportunities for patient support and research as we move forward so that we can achieve our objective of providing the best cancer care, treatment and research,” said Prof Soo.
The ‘Pink Bridges – Walk For The Women In Our Lives’ will flag off from Mount Faber Park at 5pm. The walk will culminate at HortPark, whereupon a sumptuous dinner will be provided for participants, who will also get an opportunity to enjoy a variety of meaningful and entertaining activities.
|
