Belize Cancer Society Kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Activities

It’s October, which means that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is officially here. Every year, millions of women across the globe take this time to shine a light on the women who are currently battling the disease and acknowledge the strength and courage it takes to do so. Additionally, the month recognizes the women across the world who have passed because of the disease, allowing friends, family and supporters to advocate for early detection, knowledge and hope. This morning in the Old Capital, the Belize Cancer Society held a flag raising ceremony to kick off this month’s activities. Kim Simplis-Barrow, President of the Belize Cancer Society told us more about the upcoming events.

 

Kim Simplis-Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society

“The emphasis is on breast cancer but because of our Pinktober, we will also be focusing on other cancers, because it’s related and I think it’s important. But just to give you an idea of some of the activities we will be doing this month. On the first, which is Wednesday, we will be doing the flag raising ceremony at the flag monument which is by Pallotti Highschool. That is at six a.m. and then in the evening, a ribbon and candlelight vigil at the Belize Cancer Society Headquarters. And last year we had a ribbon ceremony, and this year we decided to do a ribbon and candle ceremony. So that’s on Wednesday. On the third of October, we’re officially launching the breast cancer awareness campaign. Every year for the past fourteen or sixteen years, we’ve been doing the campaign, and it really started when I was the Special Envoy for Women and Children and so, we have continued that. It was a partnership with the Belize Cancer Society, and we will continue doing that. On the sixteenth of October, we’re having our Pinktober Pink Power Expo and it is a partnership with PAHO, the Pan American Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, the Special Envoys Office, and a few other partners. And that’s important because that’s the day when we really want organizations, businesses to wear their Pinktober T-shirts.”