The power of pink

330 guests, all decked out in their best pink attire, gathered at Conrad Hotel Macao for the annual Pink Inspired Charity Luncheon, in support of raising awareness and funds for researching breast cancer.
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Recently in October, 330 guests, all decked out in their best pink attire, gathered at Conrad Hotel Macao for the annual Pink Inspired Charity Luncheon, in support of raising awareness and funds for researching breast cancer.  Conrad Macao has supported the Pink Campaign for eight consecutive years, and this year managed to raise more than MOP108,000 from the lunch, which will be donated to benefit cancer research in Hong Kong and Macau.

Pink October is a global annual health campaign where organisations from around the world come together to raise awareness and fight breast cancer. Efforts are aimed at increasing awareness, providing support and educating people about prevention, early detection and treatment, as well as to raise money to fund cancer research around the globe.

Breast cancer is still the most common form of cancer among women, with the World Health Organisation reporting 627,000 deaths from breast cancer in 2018 – 15 percent of all cancer deaths among women. There was also a projected estimate of 2.1 million newly diagnosed female breast cancer cases last year, and it is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in over 100 countries. At the moment, there is no known cause for breast cancer. Therefore, early detection and treatment are still the first line of defence against this dreaded disease.

During the charity luncheon, CLOSER spoke with two remarkable women from the region. One who has battled this dreadful disease and survived, and the other who has had first-hand experience of what cancer can do to a loved one, family and community.

Linda Camerota Wynkoop is the current president and PR spokesperson for the International Ladies Club of Macau (ICLM), one of the original sponsors of the Pink Charity Luncheon since the early days of the campaign. As a young woman, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was fortunate enough to survive. One of her goals today, through ILCM, is to help others who are afflicted by this disease, by engaging in charitable activities in support of breast cancer campaigns and awareness.

“ILCM is very committed to helping and we’ve been a co-sponsor of the Pink Luncheon since the beginning,” says Linda.  “It’s a cause that’s very important, and in fact, we have several members right now who are unfortunately undergoing breast cancer treatment. They will not be at the lunch, but we’re here to support them in spirit, and also I’m celebrating because it’s my 25th year as a cancer survivor.”

Linda explains that despite all the research currently going on, the best approach is still prevention.

“Right now, mammograms are really the gold standard for detecting breast cancer, but many women, over 60 to 70 percent, have dense breast tissue, which means the mammogram cannot see through the tissue to find the cancer,” she adds. “I found my own breast cancer. I felt a lump then I went and had a mammogram. So I really want to stress that the number one best thing that women need to do is self-breast exams. You have to know the feeling of your breasts, and know if something is different. You are your own best advocate when it comes to that. I’m not saying, don’t get a mammogram, but you need to do self breast exams every month,” she advises.

“There is research for developing vaccines for breast cancer, but the complicated thing is that breast cancer is so different. My breast cancer and your breast cancer could be totally different, and that requires totally different treatments. So it’s a very tricky disease,” Linda adds.

Regarding the situation in Macau, the president of ILCM notes: “There is one support group that I know of in Macau, the Breast Cancer Association of Macao, but especially in the Macau community, there’s still a stigma to talking about your breasts, it is still kind of taboo here. So here, I think the approach has to be more subtle and less in your face and make women aware that it’s okay to discuss it, and it’s okay to do self breast exams, and it’s very important to get regular mammograms.”

“In Macau, research is not the issue. It’s more important that women are educated on how to detect breast cancer. Early detections usually have a better outcome. Finding breast cancer early and giving women treatment for their specific kind of cancer is critical.”

When asked what advice she would like to impart to someone who may be going through cancer treatment, Linda offers, “One thing that’s really important is your attitude. You really have to stay positive and surround yourself with a strong support team. Don’t shut yourself away from your friends and family. If people are willing to give you help, accept it. Understand there will be days when you’re going be a little weak, but believe you’re going to get through them and fight on and continue with your life.

“That’s what I did and I am still here with the blessings of God and luck and so many other factors. Because when you think negative thoughts, lot of times, negative things manifest.”

She also believes in the power of prayer and having faith, but of course still stresses the importance of following your doctor’s instructions, while also doing your own research and getting a second opinion when in doubt.

Founder of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, Mrs. Sally Lo was one of the guest speakers at the Pink Inspired Charity Luncheon.  The Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation was founded 32 years ago with the goal of providing information and support. To date, they have about 20 support centres, altogether catering to around 33,000 clients.

“We see breast cancer patients getting younger,” Sally notes. “When I started 32 years ago, they were in their 50’s, now the average age of our clients is around 45. I thought we needed a way of helping them to be proactive in the healing process, so we started a wellness program. Now we have over 1,000 clients including my husband, who is a cancer survivor.”

Activities in the program include yoga, breathing and mindfulness, and just providing general support to patients.

“An organisation like ours can take them through and give them confidence, empower them to be proactive in their own healing and also to get back to their workplace,” Sally says.

Sally explains that the Hong Kong Cancer Fund collaborates globally, but does not receive any government funding, and thus relies heavily on community support and events like Conrad’s Pink Campaign.

“In Macau, I think you’re very privileged to have the government’s support.  This year, we’re very lucky to have Sammi Cheng as our Ambassador, who can influence and encourage young people to be vigilant in cancer awareness.”

According to Sally, young people these days can think they are invincible, and don’t always understand their vulnerability to this dreaded disease. As an advice to the younger generation, she states that if you are old enough to do things as an adult like drinking and driving, then you are old enough to do a self-breast check.

“I want young people to realise that if the cancer is caught early, the survival rate is really very promising. Recently, I was shocked to hear that three quarters of people in America and Canada wait as long as three months before going to see the doctor after they find a lump, because they think it’s just going to go away. My message is, if you feel anything abnormal, just go and check because that will save your life.”

Indeed, the Pink Campaign has come a long way since its inception, and there are plenty of ways to get involved. From campaigning to helping those with the disease get access to treatment and drugs, to sharing information about the importance of breast self-checks and early detection, giving financial support so that research can continue. A few minutes of your time and the smallest contribution can make the difference and save lives.

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