MANILA, Philippines - Bliss Yoga founder and head teacher Roland Dela Cruz will be embarking on a 50-day journey around the world to raise funds for breast cancer charities. His project entitled “My Global Mandala” will originate in the Philippines where he will move eastwards towards Japan, Guam, several US cities, Mexico, over 13 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and a half dozen countries in Asia before making his way back home. He intends on visiting over 30 historical landmarks, traveling with no more than the bag on his back, a yoga mat, and a camera.
While on his journey Dela Cruz will be dedicating his daily yoga practice to breast cancer victims and offer free yoga classes within the vicinity of each of the historical landmarks to all victims, family members, advocates, or anyone supporting his cause. Class dates and times will be shared on his website www.myglobalmandala.com as the dates draw near.
Dela Cruz intends on creating awareness by sharing facts and statistics about the effects breast cancer has on women in each of these countries he will be visiting. His website will include a wide range of information such as the importance of early detection, traditional and holistic healing options, advanced studies, support groups, financial assistance, and so forth.
Five years ago, Dela Cruz’s younger sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 30. In 2009, she beat the odds, and today, she is a breast cancer survivor. The impact the disease had on Dela Cruz and his family led him to become a breast cancer awareness advocate. “No women should have to endure the pain and suffering this disease, or any disease for that matter, inflicts.” Dela Cruz says.
As he endeavors to raise awareness and inspire compassion, he hopes to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. and the Philippine based ICanServe Foundation Inc. Dela Cruz will be funding his trip out of his own pocket and hopes people will support his beneficiaries by making charitable donations directly to the Foundation in which he has linked to his website.