Around 3,000 set to join walk for breast cancer awareness

CEBU, Philippines - At least 3,000 individuals have already expressed interest to join the annual “moonwalk” to promote awareness of breast cancer, which is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Communication Officer Haidee Emmie Palapar said “moonwalk” is a unique advocacy campaign of RAFI held every full moon of October. It aims to promote the importance of observing monthly breast self-examination for women aged 20 and beyond.

Now on its 8th year, the activity, dubbed “Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness,” was organized by the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the RAFI in observance of the Breast Awareness Month.

The walk will be on Oct. 12.

Palapar said the campaign aims to get more people to be aware of the importance of early cancer detection and prevention, and at the same time, a tribute to the victims and survivors of breast cancer.

EJACC recorded a total of 3,005 breast cancer cases in Metro Cebu and found a continuous increase of breast cancer incidence over the past 10 years, caused by lifestyle and health-related factors.

“With the growing awareness on breast cancer, we are expecting more participants this year— around 3,000 from 1,500 last year. Most of the participants are cancer patients, women from the barangays, and the youth. We encourage everyone from all walks of life to join us in this year’s Moonwalk,” said Ronald delos Reyes, EJACC program coordinator.

The assembly area for this year’s Moonwalk will be at the Cebu Business Park near the Pag-Ibig Fund Tower at 4:00 p.m. Participants will walk to The Walk in Asiatown I.T. Park where they will form a human pink ribbon. A short program and Pink Rock Concert will follow.

Moonwalk is organized in collaboration with The Walk and in coordination with Ayala Center Cebu and I CAN SERVE. It is supported by the Cebu City Government, Department of Health Region 7, Asiatown I.T. Park, Cebu Business Park, Allied Banking Corporation, Philippine National Bank, Cebu Praedia Development Corporation, Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente, and Destiny Medical Fund, Inc.

Moonwalk is an initiative under the Integrated Development focus area of RAFI, addressing health issues of communities in order to create a better quality of life.

Palapar said the moonwalk is open to the public and participants are encouraged to wear pink shirts. — (FREEMAN)