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HEALTH campaigners have been donning purple emblems in a bid to create more awareness of pancreatic cancer and to raise funds for research into the disease.
Organisations throughout the kingdom recently marked World Pancreatic Cancer Day with a series of initiatives including the sale of ribbons, cookies and pieces of symbolic jewellery.
Throughout this month Maya La Chocolaterie’s (MLC) has gone purple to support Bahrain Cancer Society’s efforts and recently staged a fundraising event at its Seef Mall outlet.
Hamad Janahi, the managing director of The Living Concepts Bahrain which is the parent company of MLC, Maya Delices and the ChocoBs, said: “Breast and prostate cancer already command a certain amount of high-profile public attention with the use of pink and blue ribbons and we wanted to highlight pancreatic cancer.
“The pink and blue initiatives are widely recognised in this region but there is little or no awareness about other types of cancer. We wanted to use our platform to draw attention to this disease and hope that we can help empower people with the knowledge and encourage them to get a timely check-up which can actually save lives.
“Since committing to the campaign, we have come to know of several cases. People have come forth and shared their stories.”
The company’s Maya La Chocolaterie, Maya Delices and ChocoBs will continue to support and raise awareness about different types of cancer on an ongoing basis throughout the year by following the international calendar of cancer awareness campaigns.
Hamad added that he had been encouraged by the heartwarming support the initiative has generated from customers and other mall shoppers.
The café-style chocolate bar was decorated with a giant purple ribbon and featured a stand manned by volunteers from the Bahrain Cancer Society who handed out flyers and informed passers-by about the disease.
Donation boxes were also placed at the outlet along with accessories for sale from BD1 to BD4 including ‘Love, Faith, Hope’ bands, purple ribbon pins and necklaces, charm and slap-on bracelets.
The venue also offered purple ribbon cookies and chocolate lollipops with all the proceeds donated to the society. Purple balloons were handed out to children as well.
Big-hearted people that made a donation or purchased an accessory were presented with purple-frosted cupcakes as a token of appreciation by the Maya team.
According to various societies around the world, people aren’t as well-informed about pancreatic cancer as they are about other forms of the disease and globally the research into it appears to be chronically underfunded.
The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that help the body use and store energy while also regulating blood sugar levels. When abnormal cells develop in the pancreas and grow out of control, they can create a tumour.
The cause of most pancreatic cancers is unknown and symptoms are usually subtle, often attributed to less serious medical conditions. However, early detection is vital. Patients diagnosed in time for surgery are more likely to live five years and beyond. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest of all cancers – five-year survival rates are typically only in the single digits.
Worldwide there are around 280,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer each year and it is the seventh biggest cancer killer, the fifth in the UK and the fourth in the US.
The chocolate heroes will continue supporting the cause until the end of the month, as part of its social responsibility programme. The members of staff have worked with Bahrain Cancer Society in the past highlighting prostate cancer, supported the Smile Foundation for Children and helped raise awareness about autism too.
Hamad added: “Maya La Chocolaterie, Maya Delices and ChocoBss will remain committed to and support Bahrain Cancer Society in the fight against cancer.”
