It is finally October and in honor of breast cancer awareness month, Rotaract Clubs of Cebu Fuente organized their “Pink Perspective” project for the fifth consecutive year. This project is in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente our mother club and the ICan Serve Foundation, Inc. - Cebu. This project is a yearly commitment of the three Rotaract clubs to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of breast cancer.
Pink Perspective is a two-day webinar in which participants learn about breast cancer facts on day one and listen to the breast cancer journeys on day two. The project aims to shed light on the different untold perspectives in a breast cancer journey. This year with the theme “Together, We Thrive to Survive”, Rotaractors are advocating resilience in the breast cancer journey and imparting the daily lifestyle of breast cancer warriors.
The Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente (RACCF) - Community-Based, RACCF - University of San Carlos and RACCF - University of the Visayas Chapter, in collaboration with Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) Medical Student Council, CDU Asian Medical Student’s Association - Accentuating Lives Through Service and Advocacy (AMSA-ALSA), CDU Community Outreach Resource and Education (CORE), in partnership with Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente, Inner Wheel Cebu, and ICanServe Foundation Inc.-Cebu, held this project last weekend October 12 - 13, 2024 via zoom. The project was attended by medical students, university students, breast cancer warriors, and advocates.
The Zoom participants learned from Dr. Tess Libron the facts and basic knowledge about breast cancer and its treatment during the Breast Cancer 101 talk on day one. Emphasizing the different risk factors of breast cancer and breast screening recommendations for women, because like Dr. Libron said, “Breast Cancer does not develop overnight. It develops over time.” Thus, we are reaching out to women to check their breasts and reminding everyone about the importance of early detection.
Fight Breast Cancer before it starts. Stay aware of your body and get a check-up annually. Get Screened. Be informed, Be educated. Remain Vigilant.
Pink Perspective Day 1 continued with Dr. Carmina Alferez’s talk on how to live and grieve with meaning because cancer isn’t the end, a topic very close to her heart after losing her sister to breast cancer. Encouraging participants that every grieving has meaning and showing vulnerability is normal and admirable. She said, “Cry all you want. It is a form of expression on how deeply we are with our emotions.”
“Healing doesn’t come after dying. It is when we remember the good memories of our loved ones.” - Dr. Maria Carmina Joyce Alferez.
The Pink Perspective celebration continued with stories of hope that are truly inspiring and amazing to tell. Ms. Ronette Duran, the first speaker on day two, shared her breast cancer journey and how that was to followed a similar journey as her mother, a breast cancer survivor. Ms. Ronette pointed out that “Cancer is not a death sentence. Cancer is not about dying, it is about living.” She also encourages other breast cancer warriors to “Believe in yourself. Believe in your doctors. Believe in your chemo drugs and your nurses and God’s instruments for you to heal because you can do it.”
Photo Opportunity with Ms. Ronette Duran with the Zoom participants.
During the question and answer part of Ms. Ronette’s talk, one question was asked about what she can advise newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Ms. Ronette's answer was empowering. She said “Do not stay in the darkness. You are allowed to be sad and feel the pain but after that, move on with your life. Go have your chemotherapy and all, because life must go on.”
Participants also heard another story of hope from Ms. Irene Lee who has been battling breast cancer for almost fifteen years. She discovers one sign of breast cancer by accident, after following the breast self-exam poster she saw during her daughter’s pediatrician’s visit. Fast forward to many treatments and medications later, Ms. Irene confidently said “I am fully functioning, you should feel that too”, encouraging her sisters from the ICanServe Foundation.
“There is no silver bullet - it means you need strength and acceptance of the fact that for metastasis, it is a planned way of treatment.” - Ms. Irene Lee
Ms. Irene also answered questions from the participants and one in particular was, “What was your biggest self-discovery and revelation after you were diagnosed?”. She answered fearlessly, “I learned to be more patient. I learned to be more appreciative. I learned not to fight all battles but to choose which battle to fight, because life is short but life is precious.”
For the fifth time, Pink Perspective gives the opportunity to its participants to educate themselves on the facts about breast cancer, as well as information on symptoms, prevention, early detection, and treatment. The project advocates valuable support we can give to the breast cancer warriors.
The project also encourages all women to do regular breast examinations and undergo regular breast cancer screenings. Share the knowledge with your mom and relatives. The mantra every Pink October, “Early detection saves lives.” “Early detection is your best protection”.
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