This year, the Breast Care Support Group, the non-governmental organisation that offers support to women with breast cancer, decided that they would also extend their activities for a whole month.
The group has been working in close collaboration with the Health Promotion Department to organise a number of activities.
The Breast Care Support Group has more reasons than ever to celebrate this year. The group has updated its statute, in keeping with the times, and as a result of the new statute, the group has set up a professional body that will offer it advocacy and support.
The group is a registered non-governmental organisation under the laws of Malta.
The Breast Care Support Group has also joined Europa Donna, which is a European forum of breast cancer organisations that lobbies for continued improvement in the treatment and care of Breast Cancer.
Group president Jackie Vassallo, and member Gertrude Abela, will be participating in a conference on the same subject later this month in Vienna.
Another member, Esther Sant, will be participating in a training seminar on Advocacy. The participation of the members is made possible through funds from Europa Donna.
The group has become affiliated to the Council of Women, as both groups aspire towards achieving the highest level of wellbeing for women.
Mrs Mary Fenech Adami, wife of President Edward Fenech Adami, has kindly agreed to be the patron of the group.
The group, again in collaboration with the Health Promotion Department, has various plans for the future. These include new publications, both to raise awareness of the prevention and early detection of breast cancer, as well as of the role and support that the group offers. Plans also include further infiltration in the place of work in order to reach a wider audience in the female workforce.
The aim of the month of activities is to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage women to take better care of themselves. The ambitious timetable includes:
Saturday, 2 October 4.00pm Promenade walk from Ta’ Fra Ben in Qawra to Bugibba Square, Bugibba.
Saturday, 9 October 4.00pm A walk from Sabina Square in Victoria Gozo to Ta’ Pinu church.
Saturday, 9 October 5.00pm Mass will be said at Ta’ Pinu church by Gozo bishop Mgr Nikol Cauchi
Friday, 15 October
6.30pm The Hilda Schembri Memorial Lecture to be held at the Gozo Ministry in Victoria
Saturday, 16 October 2.30pm The Hilda Schembri Memorial Lecture to be held at the Reading Room of the SAS Radisson Hotel, St Julian’s
Saturday, 22 October 7.30pm dinner-dance and auction to be held at the Coastline Hotel. Tickets for this event are available on telephone no. 2145-5472 or 2148-2602. All proceeds will go towards the Breast Care Support Group’s expenses.
Other activities include participation in a number of radio and television programmes and articles in newspapers and a number of talks will be given in the community.
As always, the message from the Department of Health Promotion is that while, at present, there is still no cure for breast cancer, early detection is still the best defence in curbing deaths from the disease.
Research has shown that every woman can lower the risk of developing the disease or dying from it by minimising lifestyle risk factors. The department also has available a number of copies of the leaflet answering women’s questions about breast care.
Everyone, especially women, are encouraged to attend one or more of the events planned for the month.
The lectures are informative, so everyone can learn something. The other events are enjoyable and at the same time, the women taking part are showing their support for the group and for the Health Promotion Department.
The Breast Care Support Group may be contacted on telephone numbers 2145-5472 or 2148-2602. Anyone requiring more information from the Health Promotion Department may call 2123-1247 or 2124-5524.