A walk for breast cancer awareness set Oct. 11
Bosom Friends Inc in 2007's
after-induction pose.
It is during the month of October that the Breast Cancer Awareness is being done. Dubbed as Pink October, it is on this month that several activities to promote awareness for breast cancer, one of the leading cause of death for women as well as efforts on early detection.
Bosom Friends, Inc. for example, will hold a fund-raising walk on Oct. 11, 2008, which will start at the Iloilo Medical Society at 7 am and will end at the Provincial Capitol. A lift-off of balloons and Hataw exercises will follow.
The group will also hold a forum in offices like the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) and Department of Education (DepEd), among others.
The Silving Linings delegation.
BFI is a support group for breast cancer patients and survivors. It was founded and incorporated on May 25, 2001 with Rev. Maggie Hofilena as its founding president.
The "friends" in BFI's acronym means fellowship, restoration, intimacy, encouragement, needs to be understood, dedication and spirituality.
Its officers are Dr. Doris Mendoza, president; Ma. Edith dela Cruz, vice president; Amelia Arisola, secretary; Adela Cerdana, treasurer; Alicia dela Torre, auditor; and Guia Tendencia, Ma. Emma Ingala and Salvacion Salgado, members of the board. Its physician advisers are Drs. Anita Jesena and Rex Muyco.
Last Sept. 6, 2008, some BFI officers went to Silver Linings in Cebu, a homecoming for breast cancer survivors and an educational forum. It's the only one of its kind in the country. The delegates were Drs. Jesena and Mendoza, Salgado, Arisola and dela Cruz.
BFI has 115 members, with 50 who are active.
According to Mendoza, having a support group like BFI is a big help to women with cancer. "We inspire each other, promoting the idea that this is not the end of our usual activities. There is life after breast cancer. Through the group, intimate questions are discussed.We are here to encourage each other through our constant pains," she said.
The schedule for Pink October is as follows:
Oct. 2, 2008, TV 12 with Dr. Amado Lavalle, Hotel Del Rio, 8:00 am
Oct. 5, 2008, RMN Radio – 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., Beside St. Clements Church
Oct. 6, 2008, Cable Star – 9:00 a.m., Boardwalk, Diversion Road
Oct. 7, 2008, TV 12, Ikaw Kabuhi Ko – 8:00 a.m., Hotel Del Rio
Oct. 8, 2008, Medicus on the Air, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Oct. 10, 2008, ABS-CBN "Sikat ka Iloilo" – 8:30am
Oct. 11, 2008, Saturday – "Walk for Life" from Iloilo Medical Society (IMS) compound to Iloilo Provincial Capitol.
Assembly Time at IMS 6:00 – 7:00 a.m.
Hataw with Charity Perea at the Provincial Capitol Grounds. (Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, Philippine College of Surgeons, Iloilo Medical Society, Department of Health, Reg. 6, Medical Students, Drugmen's Association of Panay and different private and Government agencies)
Oct. 12, 2008,Bombo Radio 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Sky City Tower, Mapa Street
Oct. 13, 2008,8:00 a.m., Symposium at DECS, Iloilo Province Division, Luna, Lapaz, Iloilo City
Oct. 17, 2008, Symposium at the covered gym of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, Lapaz, Iloilo City
Oct. 1 – 31, Hospital Discounts on Sono-Mammogram/Bone Scan/Chest x-ray and Blood Chemistry.
The resource speakers are Drs. Anita L. Jesena, Doris A. Mendoza, Venerio Gasataya, Gaudencio Franco, Giovanni De los Reyes, Rex Muyco, Ma. Socorro Martinez, Amado Lavalle, Lister Leonida and Demie Tidon.