School campaign aids breast cancer awareness

Cancer is an atrocious malady that can strike us unexpectedly in any of over 200 forms known to man.

However, there is one deadly form of this disease that chooses women to be the majority of its hapless victims — breast cancer. Yet, how many people in our society, specifically women, are actually aware of it?

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UAE and jaws dropped on October 1, when this alarming truth was unveiled to a small population of youngsters at The Westminster School, Dubai, which conducted a "Breast Cancer Awareness Day".

The day was actually a finale to a two-week long awareness campaign to raise funds to support breast cancer patients. The funds were raised in collaboration with the "Avon Breast Cancer Crusade", during which Avon's campaign bracelets were sold throughout the Secondary Girls Section of the school.

The entire amount raised by the sale of their bracelets will be donated to Brest Friends, a breast cancer support group that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer patients in the UAE.

The response at our school was overwhelming. More than 160 bracelets were sold, and the proceeds amounted to more than Dh4,000.

The campaign day was all about the colour pink, with teachers and students sporting pink bracelets, ribbons and badges. Teachers dressed in pink too, in order to show their support for the cause.

The day was inaugurated by a short, yet comprehensive presentation on breast cancer, in which students were educated about its causes, symptoms, the stages involved in the disease and its possible cures.

A student was delegated to each classroom to carry out an interactive discussion with girls through a slideshow, and enthusiasm flowed. It was surprising to see how several of the students had actually encountered breast cancer victims in their day-to-day lives. The fact was established — breast cancer is no longer a silent threat, even in the UAE.

The victims could be anyone — our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, friends or even our own future selves.

The message was clear: be aware. We cannot risk being ignorant any more. It is foolish to live in fear, but it is even more unwise to be careless.

It is important to follow doctors' advice and go for regular mammograms, after the age of 35.

As part of the day's activities, students were offered the opportunity to show off their jewellery-designing talents in the "Design a pink bracelet competition" with prizes from Avon. The day ended with a creative writing competition, where students were asked to express their views.

- The reader is a grade 11 pupil of The Westminster School, Dubai.