Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2018 was officially launched with the Pink Ribbon Walk on Saturday, 6 October, by the Breast Cancer Foundation and supported by Breast Cancer Awareness Month organising committee members Health Promotion Board, National Cancer Centre Singapore, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore and Singapore Cancer Society.
Pink Ribbon Walk 2018
Held at Singapore Sports Hub, the Pink Ribbon Walk is Breast Cancer Foundation’s signature event aimed at raising awareness and showing support to those affected by breast cancer.
The theme of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2018 is “Every Woman Matters”. In addition to the 3.5 km Walk and 5 km Fun Run at the Pink Ribbon Walk, the event saw close-to-1,900 participants taking part in a Pink Ribbon Groove mass dance led by survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and organising committee members of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants sported pink caps to symbolise the more-than-1,900 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Singapore each year. The dance featured songs and moves from Singapore’s various ethnicities, representing solidarity amongst breast cancer survivors and their community.
Guest-of-Honour at the Pink Ribbon Walk 2018 was Ms Indranee Rajah, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Education and Finance, and Patron of Breast Cancer Foundation.
Ms Rajah shared, “I am blown away by the amazing spirit displayed today at my first event as BCF’s Patron. My sister passed away from breast cancer, so this is a very meaningful cause to me. Breast cancer affects not only the body, but also the mind. Emotional support is crucial, which is why family, friends, and support groups such as those offered by BCF make a huge difference in the fight against breast cancer, as well as early detection through regular breast checks. Seeing the turnout today is a wonderful sign of encouragement and I am heartened by the work that BCF has been doing in our community to save lives and breasts.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2018 Activities
Also present at the Pink Ribbon Walk was a Mammobus, bringing with it the message of early detection. The Breast Cancer Foundation’s Community Mammobus Programme, launched in February 2018, will see the Mammobus continue to be deployed around Singapore throughout the year.
Another activity being held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2018 is the Wear The Pink Ribbon Campaign 2018. This encourages Singaporeans to wear newly designed Pink Ribbon Pins.
Mrs Noor Quek, President of Breast Cancer Foundation, shared: “We are proud to unite the community at Pink Ribbon Walk 2018 with over 4,000 registered participants this year, the highest number of registrations in the past four years. With breast cancer remaining the most common form of cancer for women in Singapore, it is inspiring to see women from all walks of life stand in solidarity for the cause and demonstrate that “Every Woman Matters” in the fight against breast cancer while sharing the importance of early detection of breast cancer through regular breast-checks.”
To learn more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2018, visit the Breast Cancer Foundation’s website here.
