Tawau Kinabalu Pink Ribbon to hold run, sixth anniversary
TAWAU: Tawau Kinabalu Pink Ribbon (TKPR) will hold its seventh Pinktober Run and celebrate its sixth anniversary on October 20 at the Tawau town field.
TKPR chairperson Christy Salazar said this year’s Pinktober Run with the theme ‘Keep Hope Alive’ is a new concept of run that participants can run with joy while doing charity at the same time. The run is non competitive and the aim is to propagate breast cancer awareness to the public.
The run, she said, is in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Tawau and is supported by Tawau Municipal Council and Tawau police. It will be flagged off by Tanjong Batu assemblywoman Datuk Hamisa Samat at 7 am.
Christy said 3,000 participants are expected, and for those who are interested to support the cause, the participation fee is RM60 and comes with a T-shirt to be worn during the run, limited edition of medals, certificate of participation and lucky draw voucher.
This year’s lucky draw grand prize is a return Tawau-Kuala Lumpur air ticket sponsored by Apas assemblyman Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, she disclosed at a press conference on Saturday.
Christy said TKPR has lived to its aims and objectives which are to provide emotional and psychological support to all breast cancer patients and survivors and their families, to provide counselling service during and after treatment, and to increase breast cancer awareness through public education.
In order to move further, TKPR requires funds to carry out its activities. Without public help, it would not be able to keep its education, awareness, support and other programs running, she said.
Christy said 40,000 lives of women have been robbed and lost to breast cancer annually. Together TKPR and the public can make a difference.
“A large number of women still die from the disease primarily because of limited early detection, diagnosis and treatment strategies, particularly in rural areas. The objectives that are ought to be reached in this campaign are women’s ability to self-examine themselves of the cause of breast cancer, getting to know early signs, symptoms and complications of breast cancer. Self-examination is one of the key components. Doing this will make them examine themselves for signs of the disease and it would help them in early diagnosis causing less damaging outcomes,” she said.
Since 2014, TKPR has been collaborating with the Tawau General Hospital surgical department in campaigning and raising breast cancer awareness.
TKPR covers areas in Kalabakan, Merotai, Balung, Kunak, Semporna and Lahad Datu. Its road tour awareness campaign team is fully equipped with doctors and trained nurses, volunteers and other healthcare workers.
Christy thanked Rotary Club of Tawau, Tawau Municipal Council, police, members, sponsors and supporters for their support since Kinabalu Pink Ribbon, Tawau support group was established in 2013.