Last Sunday, when I was at the Mangere Bridge opening, among the many groups working for charity and others causes, I was most interested in and impressed by the girls guides with their banner. They were publicizing their campaign to collect bras and to raise breast cancer awareness. It was freezing cold, but the girls walked anyway. Good job, paki paki and ka pai to these girls.
This is indeed a good cause. Fifty per cent of the world's population are women, and not many have access to breast screening or education to have monthly self examination.
http://www.girlguidingnz.org.nz/what-we-do/worlds-longest-bra-chain-a-girlguiding-nz-record-attempt
GirlGuiding NZ is really excited to be supporting Dargaville Guides in their Bra Chain campaign. This campaign aims to raise the awareness of breast cancer, achieve a world record in November 2010 – and help our overseas sisters in Africa, Haiti, the Pacific Islands and other countries.
Most New Zealanders have been affected by breast cancer in one way or another. As a girl only organisation, our girls and leaders in New Zealand want to add their voice and raise awareness of breast cancer and also focus on prevention and detection.
Bras are being collected in all shapes and sizes, and in any condition, to break the Guinness world record by November currently held by Australia (166,000 bras).
“The highest quality bras will be sent to women in Africa, Haiti, the Pacific Islands or other countries as a way of giving back to women and girls overseas,” says Ruth Teasdale.
Facts about Breast Cancer
* 1 in 3 cancers occurring in New Zealand women is breast cancer
* About 2500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year
* Over six women are diagnosed with breast cancer each day
* Over 600 women die from breast cancer each year
* 1 in 9 women in New Zealand will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime
* The incidence of breast cancer is highest in women aged 50-54 years
* Maori women have a 40% higher mortality rate than non-Maori
* 1 in 10 men in New Zealand will lose a sister, mother, daughter or wife to breast cancer
* Close to 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive
From the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation website.
New Zealand is a very small country, but she does a lot for breast cancer awareness. It is the ordinary people, male and female adults and children who are doing this. We have an on-going television ad to advise women to have their screening done. In most cases, it is free of charge. Talking about the women's breast is taboo is some cultures, and it is difficult to persuade some women to go for checks. Breast screening is no fun, but is a painful necessity.
Recently I spoke with a radiographer, and we had a good talk. I will not be candid here.
http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/10/breast-cancer-awareness-collection.html
http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/10/breast-cancer-action-month.html
http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/10/cure-for-breast-cancer-within-next.html
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/
7 comments:
Goodness, a huge chain of bras! Well, you GO, girls! Anything to help the cause. I wonder how many people they will need to do the chain. Say like two for every 20 bras or something? I hope they break the record, I would love to see this on T.V.
I just lost a blog-fried due to breast cancer. She is from the blog, onebreastbouncing.blogspot.com and was my first blog friend whom I met. It's so scary...we have the screening here..though I am still very malas to go..still no excuse right?
I guess education is important, there are still a lot who have this thinking that bad things can only happen to someone else and they dont bother to learn.
The charity you mentioned is really a good platform to bring it to the open on how we should be open enough to address the problem, be it Breast cancer,AIDS, or whatever...........
There's not much breast cancer awareness in Sarawak. It is a pity indeed. Cancer patients have small groups to help them e.g. Catholic Nurses' Guild etc.
My mother in law died from BC...within 1 year as the town doctor predicted but she knew too late. My 6th aunt also suffered from BC for three years. Both went poorly due to lots of problems (at home and in the hospitals). Very tragic. For my MIL's case I was pregnant with my 3rd daughter. My 6th aunt lived quite near me in Miri. When she passed away I was not in Miri so it was quite sad.
Well done Ann for publicising this event. Breast cancer is indeed a prevalent occurence among many women, and even some men, here in NZ. - Dave
This is a very important cause! Thanks for drawing the attention to this demonstration!
The big "C" is one scary monster. Since my dad was a victim, I tend to be sensitive whenever someone broaches the subject. I hope I can overcome this irrational feeling and do the sensible.
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