Over a hundred volunteers yesterday took part in “The Walk of Life” organised on the Corniche by Think Pink Qatar (TPQ) – a group aiming to raise awareness about breast cancer – as part of the International Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The “breast cancer awareness” month is usually marked throughout October.
Earlier in the month, TPQ has conducted a motorcycle ride campaign in conjunction with the Ladies of Harley–Qatar chapter as a rider to yesterday’s event.
Apart from TPQ members, volunteers from other groups such as International Ladies’ Potluck Group, American Women’s Association, Tuesday Ladies Group took part in the walk.
Also, there was participation from the Calgary University in Qatar as well as the Qatar National Cancer Society (QNCS).
The event, which was inaugurated by QNCS’s Dr Abdulazim Hassan was attended by a number of dignitaries such as the British Ambassador to Qatar, John Hawkins, wife of the American ambassador and a 15-year breast cancer survivor Elinor LeBaron and Neelofur Gasan, who has been involved in QNCS’s activities for six years as well as TPQ founder Karen al-Kharouf.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Orry park, volunteers sporting pink shirts, caps, scarfs, bags and other accessories walked along the Corniche up to the museum roundabout before returning to Sheraton park for live music and entertainment.
The pink ribbon is the international symbol of breast cancer awareness, and the use of the ribbons and the colour pink are used to express solidarity on the part of the wearer with men and women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Al-Kharouf described the event as successful while expressing thanks to all who have supported the event.
“We are very appreciative to all our sponsors, especially HSBC Bank, which donated over QR100,000 for the event, as well as Vodafone Qatar, QatarGas and Toyota, I Love Qatar.net and a host of others,” she said.
“Their efforts are helping TPQ with its continued fight to raise the awareness in our community that self-examination and early detection can save lives,” she said.
Al-Kharouf said that the main aim of the occasion was to further create awareness, which will aid in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer.
TPQ plans to open a women’s resource centre which will provide support, resources on the disease, counselling and other related issues, she said.
Other highlights of the event included face-painting, table-top sales of merchandise such as TPQ shirts, face-caps and some fun items for children.
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