‘Pink Street’ vs breast cancer formally opens

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and of Barangay Tinago in Cebu City yesterday launched their joint campaign to increase public awareness on breast cancer prevention with the ceremonial opening of Lopez Jaena Street as “Pink Street”.

“We also encourage other local government units to do the same by decorating their streets with pink color as one way of giving moral support for breast cancer victims and survivors,” said Carol Ballesteros, RAFI Reputation Management head, during the Kapihan sa PIA.

With 657 deaths or 49 percent of the 1,349 cases recorded in 2003 to 2007, breast cancer has been identified by the Cebu population-based Cancer Registry of RAFI-Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center as the leading cause of death among Cebuano women.

Adorned with banderitas, tarpaulins, ribbons and balloons, all in pink color, the street was in a fiesta mood yesterday.

The Pink Street ceremonial opening, which was graced by RAFI chairman Roberto Aboitiz, intended to remind Cebuanos to be aware about breast cancer and tap the barangay and the community in this endeavor.

Pink Street is just one of the several activities RAFI has lined up for October, which is breast cancer awareness month.

On October 3, there will also be a Mega Moonwalk, now on its 11th year, which will start from Plaza Sugbo to Magallanes St., to Plaridel St., then to Plaza Independencia, where a program will be held with movie actor Tirso Cruz III as the guest of honor.

Participants of the walk are encouraged to wear pink.

    The Moonwalk is a unique collective advocacy campaign focused on early screening and detection of breast cancer through monthly breast self-examination and mammography.

Tinago barangay captain Joel Garganera said that breast cancer issue should not only be the concern of women, but also of men.

“Men should get involved on this issue. If a woman, their mother or children have this disease, it is the entire family who will be affected,” Garganera said. — (FREEMAN)