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Think Pink Bahrain is a non-profit breast cancer charity officially registered in Bahrain and was founded in 2004 by Australian nurse Jules Sprakel, writes Asma Salman.
Over the past six years it has raised more than BD210,000 towards breast cancer initiatives on the island.
The charity raised a record amount of BD90,000 through its fundraising activities in 2009. In April this year, Think Pink Bahrain handed over BD 50,000 to Ghassan Fakhroo from Phillips for the initial deposit on a digital Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine for Salmaniya Medical Complex. Fund-raisers plan to continue their efforts to cover the full BD880,000 cost of the equipment.
The decision to purchase the machine was taken after in-depth studies and various regional statistics and is supported by the SMC's Oncology Department and the Ministry of Health. Adhering to Think Pink Bahrain's mission of early detection and prevention, the digital MRI proves to be a favourable diagnostic tool.
The charity also utilises funds to support Think Pink's awareness and education programme. In 2009 it covered the cost of sending four Bahraini medical professionals to Germany on a three week course. Think Pink also pumps money through Bahrain Cancer Society to help breast cancer victims on the island.
Bahrain is the first country within the GCC to spearhead a free mammography drive and cash raised has gone to help purchase dye and equipment for this self-financed project.
This year Think Pink is organising a variety of activities which will be spread throughout the entire month of October. Individuals and organisations from different walks of life are joining hands to support the cause. Bahraini Olympic sailor, Sami Al Kooheji is Think Pink's goodwill ambassador this year.
The charity's vision is to increase awareness with its 'i check' initiative. This campaign commences on Friday and runs for the whole month, to align with Worldwide Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Think Pink is using a henna stamp to imprint the 'i check' icon on every supporter's hand.
The reason behind this symbol and statement is that often women are too frightened to acknowledge breast cancer.
Even if they are aware of it, they are often too afraid to take any positive steps in the prevention of the disease.
The 'i check' movement is about people standing side by side, raising their hands in acknowledgement of breast cancer and boldly stating 'i check'. The campaign means spirit, solidarity and unity.
Donations to the MRI Fund can be done through a special account set up with BBK and is called the Mohammed Fakhroo & Bros MRI Fund Acc No: 200002758833.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 1: Rotary Club of Adylia Walkathon in support of the Gift of Life Bahrain and Think Pink Bahrain (50 per cent of the proceeds go towards Think Pink Bahrain). For more information contact walkathon@rotaryadliya.org
October 6: Aerobic combo at Dessange. For more information contact 17713999.
October 8: Harley Davidson's Owners Group (HOG's) charity ride. For more information contact Maria Hawkyard on 39566573 or maria.hawkyard@gmail.com
October 9: World Beat Fitness Open Day. For more information contact the centre on 17612576.
October 13: Spinning session at Dessange. For more information contact 17713999.
October 15: Bodyline Open Day. For more details contact the centre on 17793932.
October 17: EzFit Fitness Classes. For details contact Marie at the centre on 17692378.
October 19: Camelot Beverage Tasting. For more information contact Ravih on 17717745.
October 20: Zumba session at Dessange. For more information contact 17713999.
October 23: Coral Beach Club Open Day. For more information contact Chadi on 17312700.
October 24: Second Annual Gents Think Pink Bahrain Night Golf. For details on registration or sponsorship contact Donna Bushiri at The Royal Golf Club on 17750777.
October 27: Dessange fun walk around the palace. For more information contact 17713999.
October 27: Fifth Annual Ladies Think Pink Bahrain Golf Day. For details on registration or sponsorship contact Donna Bushiri at The Royal Golf Club on 17750777.
October 29: Sixth Annual Think Pink Bahrain Gala Evening Event. For details on tickets contact 36531310 or corporate table sponsorship on 39076717 or 39686767.
October 29: Likwid Productions presents the 6th Annual Think Pink Bahrain After Party at the Coral Beach Club.
To follow Think Pink's events become a Facebook 'fan page' or visit the website on www.thinkpinkbahrain.com
FACT FILE
Eman Tammam, 32, is the first Bahraini female occupational therapist and lymphedema certified professional in Bahrain. She studied occupational therapy at Queen Margaret University in the UK through a Ministry of Education scholarship program. In 2007, she graduated with a Masters degree from La Trobe University in Australia which was funded by the Ministry of Health. She joined SMC soon after.
Her job is involved with rehabilitation where she looks at treating the physical and mental disorders of the patients through purposeful activities. She said: "I deal with lymphedema and scar management and a lot of times with plastic surgeons too. Body image is a huge issue with breast cancer survivors and patients with lymphedema are sensitive to people's perception of compression garments. So finding solutions with daily activities for them is my job."
Ameera Alderazi, 30, is a physiotherapist with a lymphedema certification. She graduated in 2001 with a nursing diploma from the College of Health Sciences in Bahrain. She then completed her bachelors' degree in physiotherapy from Gulf Medical University in Ajman and joined the medical team at SMC in 2005. She said: "Physiotherapy is a vital part of rehabilitation. Cancer patients normally get depressed when they encounter muscle weakness due to surgery and treatment and it is my job to maintain their optimum functional level. Lymphedema certification has improved my knowledge and provided different tracks to deal with the condition.
"A very recent success story was a 70-year-old Bahraini female who had had a single mastectomy and came in with severe lymphedema. She had lost the function of her hand and there was a 5cm difference between her right and left arm due to lymphedema. But after treating her with compression garments and specific exercises there is a marked improvement in her condition and she has regained the use of her hand again."
Layla Ibrahim Mohammed, 33, is a lymphedema certified staff nurse at the oncology ward, 412, at SMC. She completed her nursing diploma from the College of Health Sciences in Bahrain and joined SMC in 1998. She said: "Earlier when we received lymphedema patients at the hospital we treated them with antibiotics but now with the certification I know how to manage the condition better with massage and other techniques."
Muna Ebrahim Muhamed Ebrahim, 43, is a lymphedema certified senior staff nurse at the oncology ward at SMC. She started working at SMC in 1996 after completing her nursing diploma. She is mourning the loss of her sister who recently died of breast cancer and says that she is keeping her sister's memory alive by continuing to provide care to cancer patients in the best possible way.
Rabab Habib Idrees Saleh, 30, is a staff nurse at the oncology ward 412, at SMC and is in her first year of a master's degree programme in nursing from RCSI-MUB. She completed her nursing diploma from the College of Health Sciences in Bahrain in 2002 and joined the medical staff at SMC in 2003.
She said: "Women diagnosed with breast cancer go through a range of emotions and are primarily concerned about the side effects of chemotherapy, losing their breast and alopecia. Stress levels are high in our ward but we have a great oncology team along with multi-disciplinary teams that provide emotional, religious and social counselling to the patients."
Shahzalan Ibrahim Fadhul, supervisor and senior oncology nurse at SMC, is at present in her second year masters of nursing programme at RCSI-MUB. She completed her specialisation in oncology nursing from Bristol Oncology Centre in UK in 1996. In 2006 she completed a Health Care Management course from the RCSI-MUB and after two years she finished her BSC in general nursing from RCSI-MUB.
The focus of her masters' degree is oncology specialising in breast care and how to improve the quality of life in cancer patients. She said: "Education plays an important role in awareness and during the 'i check' campaign I have had Bahraini men come up to me and ask questions about different kinds of breast lumps and the kinds of treatment and care available on the island. We need to step up the awareness so that we can catch the disease in its early stages."
