Crowds turn out for Pink October
EVENTS are continuing thick and fast as part of Pink October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Activities during the special month are aimed at raising awareness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis, as well as generating funds for the Help Those With Cancer Association (Tulips).
There was a large turnout for the campaign in İskele for a municipalityorganised seventh Pink Balloon Event — from mayor Hasan Sadıkoğlu and Tulips founding head Raziye Kocaismail, area muhtars, municipal councillors and staff, to representatives of local firms and schools.
Participants donned pink and carried pink balloons for a march from İskele Health Centre to the town’s Ecevit Square, where Mr Sadıkoğlu said: “The real aim of our walk was to raise awareness, as the most important factor in this disease is early diagnosis, which can allow immediate intervention and offer the chance of being all clear in a shorter time.”
Mrs Kocaismail added: “In 2003 there was only one cancer patient [Tulips member in İskele] and now this number has increased to some 50, and the whole community raises great awareness of this every year. We appreciate all the support we receive.”
Similar marches are to take place on Lefkoşa’s Dereboyu shopping street on Wednesday and in Gazimağusa on Friday.
Funds were also raised at the third Open Door Festival held in Gazimağusa over the weekend, where a Tulips stand manned by pink-clad stall-holders saw products sold in aid of the association and informative brochures distributed.
A Motorcycle Festival at the Corner House in Ozanköy, with live entertainment by Pinky and Serdar Tüksal, also swelled funds by 600TL, while a Spot the Intro music quiz at Lapta’s Olive Press attended by some 50 raised over 1,200TL on Monday.
Meanwhile, Girne American Future College, one of two schools taking part in the month’s 10,000-paces-aday sponsored Step-A-Thon challenge this year, will be among several to hold its own Pink Day on Monday to raise more funds for the cause through sales of home-made food and refreshments.
SPECIAL products are being sold in aid of Tulips for Pink October, under the slogan “Save a breast, Save a woman”. The items are three different pink bracelets, inscribed with the words “Hope” or “Faith”, and a key-ring bearing a mini pink, decorative bra. All cost 5TL and can be purchased by calling 0542 853 1121.