Editor’s Note:
Ten thousand Saudi women. That’s the goal set for organizers of the “Pink Ribbon” campaign who are organizing the October 28th event in Jeddah to break the world record for largest human awareness ribbon — the promotion of breast cancer awareness. We thank our good friend Carol Fleming who blogs at AmericanBedu.com for keeping us up to date on this important effort.
Today we provide for your information the details of the “A Women’s Stand” campaign which is being championed by HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud and many others in the Kingdom such as the MBC broadcast group. The organizers are looking for participants, supporters, and donations. Please help if you are able.
We would also mention the involvement of the United States in efforts like this. In October 2007 the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research concluded an agreement with Saudi Arabia, during a visit of First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush to the Kingdom.
Saudi Women to Form World’s Largest ‘Pink Ribbon’ Human Chain
“Let it be known that as of this day, ignorance is no longer an excuse and no woman should be allowed to be left to suffer in silence” – These are the words HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud chose to use for the launch of ‘A Woman’s Stand’ campaign – a local Saudi initiative to help raise and increase breast cancer awareness efforts in the Kingdom so that they are at par with global standards.
The campaign is launching under the patronage of the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation and is organized by HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar and Al Bidayah Breast Feeding Resource & Women’s Awareness Center for the Zahra Breast Cancer Association.
“Breast cancer affects women mainly at their 40s. Contrary to local knowledge, it is a disease that if caught at early time can be cured. Awareness efforts such as this campaign are imperative to help people realize that early detection with screening mammography and medical consultation whenever there is a breast problem are important factors to save lives. A good attitude towards this disease and those affected by it is mandatory.” Said, Dr. Muna Baslaim, a Breast Surgeon and head of Breast Unit at King Fahd General Hospital in Jeddah.
Twenty four percent of cancer cases in the Kingdom are breast cancer cases making it the leading form of cancer within the country. According to the latest Saudi Cancer Registry report over 10,000 cases of cancer were treated in one year alone. Seeing the effects that breast cancer is having on Saudi society, HRH Princess Reema and Al Bidayah Center decided to collaborate and create an awareness campaign that would educate and allow the average women to make a difference.
The cooperation response for the campaign was great, where Avon (for cosmetic) participated as the silver sponsor and MBC Group joined the campaign as the exclusive media- broadcast partner.
During the campaign launch, Dr. Modi Batterjee, spokesperson for the campaign, volunteering for Zahra Breast Cancer Association and founding member of Al Bidayah Center confirmed that: “The campaign climax will take place in Jeddah on 28 October 2010, when thousands of women (ages 12 and up) from across the Kingdom unite to form the largest human chain in the form of a ‘Pink Ribbon’ – the international symbol of breast cancer awareness. The ribbon formation is an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the category of Largest Human Awareness Ribbon.”
The current Guinness World Record holder for the category of Largest Human Awareness Ribbon is AIDS-Hilife Frankfurt e.v. which was able to secure 3,640 participants in Germany on 29 June 2007. The Saudi campaign aims to attract enough participants to break this record and place Saudi Arabia and its women into the Book of Records.
Through this attempt, the organizers hope to increase awareness around the causes and effects breast cancer has on people and illustrate the strength, commitment and solidarity women share to prove that when people act together great things can be achieved.
HRH Princess Reema invites women from all regions, ages and occupations to come and participate in this momentous event, adding that the attempt is symbolic in two means: “Saudi society is very closely knit and it is no surprise to see communities unite when it is to the benefit of the society. Second, the participants will represent the multiple backgrounds of Saudi society which is a key point in that breast cancer doesn’t differentiate between rich or poor, young or old and if not treated, as it affects everyone in the same manner.”
About the Largest Human Pink Ribbon Campaign “A Woman’s Stand”:
The Largest Human Pink Ribbon Chain is a breast cancer awareness campaign following the theme of “A Woman’s Stand.” The campaign is under the patronage of Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Foundation and undertaken by HRH Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud and Al Bidayah Center (Breastfeeding Resource and Women’s Health Awareness Center) for the Zahra Breast Cancer Association. The aim of the campaign is to break a Guinness World Record, in the category of the Largest Human Awareness Ribbon by organizing the formation of the largest female human pink ribbon chain on 28 October 2010 in Jeddah, KSA.
About MBC Group:
MBC Group was established in 1991 as the first pan-Arab free-to-air satellite broadcasting company in the Arab World. Over the past 19 years, MBC group has grown to become a well-established media group that enriches people’s lives through information, interaction and entertainment. Based in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, MBC Group includes 7 television channels: MBC1 (general family entertainment), MBC2 and MBC MAX (24-hour movies), MBC3 (children’s entertainment), MBC4 (entertainment for new Arab women), MBC Action (action series and movies), and Al Arabiya (the 24-hour Arabic language news channel); two radio stations: MBC FM (Gulf music), and panorama fm (contemporary Arabic hit music); as well as O3 productions, a specialized documentary production unit, It has also several online platforms: www.mbc.net, www.alarabiya.net, and www.alaswaq.net.
DETAILS:
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
October 28, 2010
Contact: Yahya Hamidaddin at yahya.hamidaddin@adalidpr.com
Yahya Hamidaddin
Adalid Public Relations
e-mail: yahya.hamidaddin@adalidpr.com
Tel: +966 2 263 1720 – Ex. 250
Fax: +966 2 263 1730
Yasser Al-Hebsi
Adalid Public Relations
e-mail: Yasser.Alhebsi@adalidpr.com
Tel: +966 2 263 1720 – Ex. 180
Fax: +966 2 263 1730
Related Items:
- Case Study: U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research – U.S. State Department
- First Lady to Visit Saudi Arabia on Mideast Public Diplomacy Travels – SUSRIS – Oct 21, 2007
- Mrs. Laura Bush at King Fahd Medical Facility meets staff to discuss the U.S.-Saudi Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research – Photo – SUSRIS Special Sections 2008
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wellcome
is there any number these nuber used for doing research about breast cancer among teenagers in saudi please help my for collecting the data ,,,,,
thanks,
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