Sarah joins fight vs. breast cancer

MANILA, Philippines – When Sarah Lahbati was recently introduced as the newest celebrity ambassador of Avon’s long-running Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer campaign, media reactions like “isn’t she too young to front such an advocacy?” were inevitable.

But the Fil-Moroccan beauty, who’s one of GMA 7’s rising stars, was candid to admit that she initially had the same reaction herself. “At first, I couldn’t believe they got me because I’m only 18. But I realized that no one’s ever too young to help. I can’t just (sit around) when I know I can be of help.”

Her ready involvement is also motivated by the fact that the issue of breast cancer, said to be the top killer of Filipino women, is very real and close to home.

“It’s something I take personally because I have a family member who has Stage 4 breast cancer. It was just two years ago when my cousin found out about it. Everything happened so fast. Before wala talaga akong masyadong alam about breast cancer. But because of what happened to my cousin, I understood the disease more and became aware of it,” she shared.

“So I feel it’s really important to help spread the word and awareness because if the detection is earlier, then the chances of survival are higher,” added Sarah, also citing studies that state that unlike other cancers, breast cancer or breast problems that might indicate cancer, can be detected through self-examination.

The Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer campaign is now on its 20th year worldwide. It was launched in the Philippines in 2002, with the intention to help give medically under-served Filipinas access to care and support. Through the annual staging of walk and run events and the offering of fundraising products, the company has helped establish the Breast Cancer Center at the Philippine General Hospital apart from conducting free consultation, initiating support groups and providing provincial hospitals with equipment. To date, the campaign has raised $740M worldwide for research and for advancing access to breast cancer care.

At this year’s Philippine campaign kick-off, Sarah was joined by Avon Philippines president Kanwar Bhutani and representatives of its partners, among them, Philippine Cancer Society executive director Dr. Rachael Rosario and GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon.

Ongoing activities include the Let’s Walk The Talk Tour, an experiential and educational look into the realities of breast cancer, through sessions on how to do a self-breast exam as well as free breast exams by attending physicians. The tour also features touching stories of survivors. Catch it at Avon Shaw from Sept. 3 to 5; Avon EDSA from Sept. 10 to 12; and off-site locations SM Cebu from Sept. 27 to 30; and SM Davao from Oct. 25 to 28.

The walk and run events, on the other hand, are scheduled on Oct. 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds. Registration for the run is currently ongoing. Part of the proceeds of the activities will go to the breast cancer fund.

“I’m excited to join the events, to run and to do what I can do to spread the word about breast cancer,” said Sarah, who’s also taking to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to drum up attention and support especially from her fellow youth.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview with Sarah during a regional promo tour of her teleserye Makapiling Kang Muli, she revealed that she will soon star in two movies, an indie and a thriller titled Basement under GMA Films. “I’m overwhelmed with everything that’s happening. I’m very thankful,” said Sarah.

Asked to come clean on the real score between her and favorite Kapuso leading man Richard Gutierrez, also her co-star in Makapiling Kang Muli, she said, “I admit that we’re close to each other because every day we’re together because of work and I think it’s a good thing because it helps with the scenes.”

Raised abroad prior to moving to the Philippines to pursue showbiz, Sarah, who said she never had a boyfriend (“Only puppy love”), admitted that Richard has already met her mother (“Sometimes, he goes to the house”), who is her companion here in the country, while her father continues to live in their family home in Switzerland. “(My mother) finds (Richard) a nice guy, very professional…”

She has also met the family of Richard during a private gathering. “They’re all nice, they’re all sweet,” Sarah said.

“As of now, we’re really good friends. We’re enjoying each other’s company… But I’m too young (to be in a relationship). I’m only 18. My only focus right now is my career.”