Monday, October 25, 2010

Making Breast Cancer History in Jeddah

Women in Jeddah will be coming together this week for the purpose of highlighting awareness of breast cancer by attempting to form the world's largest record-breaking human pink Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon in history.



The event will take place on Thursday, October 28, starting at 5:00 pm and ending at about 9:00 pm at the Ministry of Education Sports Stadium in Al-Rawdah District. Only females 12 and over will be admitted and should be pre-registered (see below). Free pink ponchos will be provided for all participants to ensure that the uniform pink color matches throughout. Women are advised to wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

The goal is to attract 7,000 women to the event in order to break the current standing record in the Guinness Book of World Records. Conceived by HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, this event has been organized and coordinated through several organizations here in Saudi Arabia, including the Zahra Breast Cancer Association and Al Bidayah Center, which have teamed up with Avon's Walk for Life.

Breast cancer continues to be a major health problem for women in Saudi Arabia due to several contributing factors. Saudi women are more likely to wait to see a doctor until it's too late and the cancer is already in advanced stages. Saudi women are less prone to be assertive about their own health issues. They are discouraged from asking questions, from reading about their disease and treatments, or from doing their own research. Saudi women have the legal standing of children and can be denied healthcare by their legal guardians, usually their fathers or husbands. Saudi women always live with the fear that their husbands will view them as "damaged goods" and that the man may either divorce them in their time of need or take on a second wife. And then there is always the perceived embarassing nature and stigma of the disease itself.


To Register for the Event (Females over 12 years only):
E-mail your full name, mobile number and e-mail address to Manal Quota at:
manal.quota@adalidpr.com

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2010
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Ministry of Education Sports Stadium in Al Rawdah - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

4 comments:

  1. Haha, loved the first pic.

    Good luck girls!!!

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  2. Our daughter had breast cancer at age 37...I can't imagine her not being able to treated because of social conditions like those in SA. This fear of husbands and fathers, damaged goods, embarassment, and being discouraged from asking questions is another sad comment on the value placed on women. It's good that they (women) are doing something about it, trying to break this record. Are there any men over there who truly value women as anything other than property. There has to be logic somewhere.

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  3. Susie,

    Since I am physically unable to be there, I sure hope that you will be there in my stead wearing your pink poncho with pride!!!!!!

    Love ya,
    Carol

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