The Annual Nationwide Pink Oct – Mov ’22 campaign has been launched by Chairperson of The Marigold Foundation, Michelle Muscat under the Patronage of First Lady, Mrs Miriam Vella.

In the last few years Pink October has extended to cover awareness on not only breast cancer but also on other common female cancers – mainly ovarian and cervical cancer that remain a taboo on our islands. The campaign urges women to be open with such issues, learn how to prevent getting sick, how to check themselves, do the necessary screenings and tests and face the fear that most times stops them from seeking help until it is too late.

The Pink October-Movember campaign as its name denotes also raises awareness on male cancers and men’s health with a focus on prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Following a nationwide survey, this year’s campaign is focusing not just on the need to check oneself but also on how this is done in a correct way.

The general public is urged to look out for the messages, radio adverts, billboards, TV ads, social media and online posts to learn more on how to be brave, take the next step and check their body regularly.

In a drive to raise further awareness this year, the public is being engaged directly featuring real bodies and persons in its imagery. #getreal #realbodies #lifesavinggestures will help pass on the campaign’s message… These are real bodies, real persons, no photoshop, no cosmetics: what is lying in that body ? Are these persons afraid? Do they check themselves? Do they know how to check and what they need to look out for? The Campaign aims to reach out to every person, female and male, in a bid to educate and prevent getting sick through the motivation to learn to check.

The event was addressed by Malta’s top clinicians and surgeons including Dr Nick Refalo Clinical Chair of SAMOC, Mr John Agius Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Dr Kristel Von Brockdorff Consultant Oncologist, Dr Danika Marmara Cancer Pathways Director, Dr Jean Calleja Agius Obstetrician and Gyneacologist and Head of the Department of Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta and by Mr Chris Barbara, Chair of the Pathology Department. Speaking in one voice, they all stressed the importance of this Campaign in raising awareness and educating the public.

The Annual Nationwide Pink Oct – Mov ’22 Campaign is spearheaded and coordinated by The Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community. As per previous years, donations collected will go into a national fund to be distributed amongst breast care and cancer NGOs for research and education.

If the public is generous, funds will go to fund a Canon Aplio diagnostic ultrasound system. This equipment is instrumental in providing brachytherapy locally. Currently, brachytherapy is not carried out in Malta. All patients who need this treatment need to travel to London which provides its own challenges. The team at the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre are currently working with the International Atomic Energy Agency to bring brachytherapy to Malta in the next few years, so that our patients no longer need to travel to the UK for this purpose.

If you would like to support Pink Oct-Mov ’22 please visit the Pink Oct-Mov Facebook Page, Instagram or marigold.org.mt/pink

To learn more on Pink Oct – Mov ’22’s events this month or donate on the numbers below:

SMS Donations 50619238 for €11.65

CALL Donations 51702052 €15 51802053 €25

MOBILE PAY number 99912373 for amounts up to €500

#MaltaDaily