Breast Cancer Observation Month kicked off yesterday with the release of pink balloons outside the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. building at Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City.
The annual Pink October celebration opened on “Pink Street” where banderitas, tarp banners and ribbons carried the signature color of the global campaign.
It’s a public reminder that people, especially Cebuanos, should be aware of what cancer is about, how to prevent and detect it early, as well as the need for community action, said organizers.
Breast cancer is a leading cause of deaths among Cebuanas based on figures of a
Cebu population-based cancer registry of RAFI-Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center. There were 657 deaths or 49 percent of 1,349 cancer cases from 2003 to 2007.
Tinago barangay captain Joel Garganera and Roberto “Bobby” Aboitiz, president of RAFI led the release of balloons.
Activities ahead include a Mega Moonwalk on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Plaza Sugbo (across Magellan’s Cross) to Plaza Independencia at 5 p.m.
The walk for breast cancer awareness will start at 5:30 p.m.
Actor Tirso Cruz III will share his experience in battling lung cancer last year.
Participants are encouraged to wear pink and join the “Celebrate Life with Mega Cebu” program at the Plaza Independencia in coordination with the Cebu City government and Department of Health, among others.
RAFI will be giving cash prizes to participants who post online their selfie or group photos during the walk.