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Think Pink Bahrain is launching its annual breast cancer awareness drive with a unique icheck campaign that highlights the importance hands play in detecting cancer through monthly self-examinations.
"It's saying that your life is literally in your own hands - so get regular check ups and do your monthly self examinations, this simple exercise, which takes five minutes of your time each month, could save your life.
"The idea of the icheck campaign is to break barriers and stigma that breast cancer has in Arab cultures and through education and awareness to encourage women who have learned how to self check to proudly raise their hands in unity and say icheck," said Jules Sprakel, founder of Think Pink.
The icheck drive is a year-long nation-wide campaign and is Think Pink's main focus in creating awareness. "We want to create a movement where women stand side by side, raise their hands in acknowledgment of breast cancer and say boldly, my life is in my hands because icheck," said Ms Sprakel.
"We are using a culturally resonant mechanism. Embellishing the hands with our message, just as henna is used amongst Arab women to make a statement - whether wishing for prosperity, or love in marriage - becomes a very powerful way of reaching Bahraini women."
Think Pink is using a henna stamp to imprint the icheck icon on every woman's hand who will take part in the campaign.
The charity is planning to visit villages, schools and organisations and will demonstrate self examination techniques conducted by certified volunteer nurses.
Think Pink Bahrain is a home-grown non-profit organisation that was founded in 2004 by Jules, a qualified nurse from Australia.
To date, Think Pink has raised more than BD100,000. The money raised has been directed through Bahrain Cancer Society to help Bahraini breast cancer victims.
The kingdom is the first country within the GCC to spearhead a free mammography drive for their local women, and the monies raised to date, have gone to help purchase dye and equipment for this self financed project.
This year Think Pink is organising a variety of fundraising activities which will be spread over the entire month of October. Individuals and organisations from different walks of life are joining hands to support the cause.
The highly successful annual Ladies Golf Tournament will be held once again this year at the Royal Golf Club on October 21 and for the first time - a Men's Night Golf Tournament will be held at the Royal Golf Club on the October 18.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month ends with the grand finale of events - the Fifth Annual Think Pink Bahrain Gala Dinner being held on what's been dubbed 'Think Pink Day' October 30 followed by a night of glamour and dancing at the Coral Beach Club with DJ Kiko Navarro flying in from the Balearic Islands to play live in support of the cause.
