DAVAO CITY, Aug. 11 (PIA) –- A national forum on breast cancer will be held here this September to eradicate most women's fear about breast cancer.
The Manila-based ICanServe Foundation, Inc. will stage the forum dubbed as "Silver Linings" which aims to raise awareness on Southeast Asia’s top cancer disease. The forum will be on Sept.17 at the Grand Regal Hotel, in Davao City.
“In this forum, we want to kill women’s fear on breast cancer, be they rich or poor,” said Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, ICanServe founding president.
A breast cancer survivor herself, Alikpala said that the educational forum intends to become “home of hope” for breast cancer patients.
“We want to induce hope. We want to show people that breast cancer is not a death sentence,” she stated.
Alikpala stressed the importance of the forum, noting that the country has “yet to have a comprehensive national cancer control program.”
The forum is part of ICanServe advocacy campaign that promotes early breast cancer detection and sets up support system for patients’ diagnostics and treatment.
The Silver Linings, held every three years, is also a homecoming event for breast cancer survivors, their families, friends and supporters who would be enlightened on several inputs about the disease that ranks 9th in cancer incidence worldwide.
The 3rd Silver Linings in Davao is open to the public and offers a wide array of topics which include Breast Cancer 101, Managing the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment, Exercise and Eating Right, Role of Family and Friends, Looking Good During Cancer, Breast Cancer in the Young and Keeping Healthy when in Remission.
Lani Eusebio, also a breast cancer survivor and ICanServe executive director, said that celebrity moderators like Karen Davila, Bibeth Orteza, Maritoni Fernandez, Melissa de Leon and Patty Betita will handle the breakout sessions.
She also said Dawn Zulueta, a supporter of the ICanServe barangay-based breast cancer screening program, is expected to deliver the welcome message.
Eusebio said that they expect about 800 to 1,000 participants from various areas of the country.
A minimal registration fee of P100 is required from every participant to cover meals and access to the free breast clinic, Eusebio said.
Interested participants may pre-register online at www.icanservefoundation.org. They could also get registration forms at the Grand Regal Hotel front desk, Spirale at the Damosa Business Center in Lanang, Bunoatera Deli and Creperie at F. Torres St., Blugre Coffee at Landco, SM City and MTS. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)
(source: PIA)
