The Marigold Foundation launch The Nationwide Pink Oct-Mov ’21 Campaign

Oct 4 2021

October is breast cancer awareness month, an annual initiative held around the world in order to raise awareness about breast cancer.

In Malta, The Marigold Foundation is the coordinator of the nationwide Pink October and Movember campaign, with the aim of supporting NGOs and patient support groups afflicted with cancer. This year’s campaign was launched on Tuesday by Chairperson of The Marigold Foundation, Michelle Muscat under the Patronage of First Lady, Mrs Miriam Vella.

The Foundation’s aim is to educate the general public to know the signs of cancer, lessen the fear to get checked and conduct the necessary screenings to create an environment of positive actions, healthy attitudes and mindfulness. As a matter of fact this year’s Pink October Campaign will focus not just on breast cancer but will also educate about other female cancers including ovarian and cervical which remain a taboo on our islands.

Since their first national campaign in 2015, The Marigold Foundation has dedicated itself to support patients, lessen the fear and remove the taboo of talking about such issues and the fear about checking oneself.

The two-month Pink Oct-Mov ’21 campaign focuses on a number of goals in the battle against male female and male cancer, such as the prevention of cancers and early diagnosis, supporting patients going through cancer and promoting a better overall attitude towards wellness. The general public is urged to keep an eye out on the educative and eye-catching messages, billboards, television ads and online posts in order to learn on how to be brave, take the next step and check one’s body regularly.

The event was addressed by Malta’s top clinicians and surgeons including Dr. Nick Refalo, Clinical Chair of SAMOC, Prof. Ray Galea, gynaecologist, Mr. John Agius, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, Dr. Gerald Busuttil, Specialist in Urology and Dr Krystel von Brockdorf, consultant oncologist. Mr Chris Barbara, Chair of the Pathology Department and Mr Robert Xuereb from The Marigold Foundation also explained the importance of Biomedical Scientists and the functions of the Deep Inspiratory Breath Hold Monitoring System respectively.

The Marigold Foundation also focuses on maximising therapeutic opportunities and health education, funding research at the University of Malta and aiding other NGOs with ideas and new approaches.

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Maltese Music Monday is BACK with some local favourites!

Oct 4 2021

Maltese Music Monday is with us once again and after a summer of non-stop bangers, we head into the Autumn season with a line-up of stellar productions from some of Malta’s most beloved artists.

Karin Duff – Confidence

After months of anticipation, Malta’s red-headed starlet Karin Duff returns with her captivating and intense single ‘Confidence‘. The singer-songwriter’s latest single is a bold pop tune which is certain to instil confidence in any listener. In addition to the track, Duff’s music video for the single perfectly reflects the song’s attitude and we have to admit, we’re loving the vibes.

The Travellers – Inżul u Tlajja

One of Malta’s most beloved bands is back with the title track from their next album ‘Inżul u Tlajja’ and it’s definitely got us wanting more. The single, of the same name, brings back the classic Travellers good vibes and is accompanied by a clever, quirky music video featuring The Travellers themselves.

Winter Moods – The Journey

A national treasure in their own right, Winter Moods are finally back with a touching single named ‘The Journey’. The song was originally set for release last year in the build-up to the band’s 35-year anniversary but was disrupted due to the pandemic. It honours a 14-year-old friend of the band named Juan Barbara, who sadly passed away later that year.

Carlo Gerada, AIDAN – 24/7

Local DJ and Producer is here with his first-ever collaboration with singer-songwriter AIDAN and trust us when we tell you it’s a banger. Uniquely enough, the song fuses both Maltese and English language into a groovy house tune and its has already proved itself to be a local favourite after it hit #1 on the local charts.

Joe Roscoe – Red Flags

Red Electrick lead singer and frontman Joe Roscoe returns with a bouncy bedroom pop tune and we’re hooked. ‘Red Flag’ is produced by fellow Red Electrick member Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur and DJ/Producer Alexei Debono a.k.a. LEX. Super lyrics, gorgeous vocals and a welcome addition to our playlist, we’ve got this one on repeat.

Haven’t followed our playlist yet? You can do so below!

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Here are some tips on how to fall asleep quicker and safer

Oct 4 2021

It might go against our intuition, but drifting into sleep as soon as your head hits the pillow is not a good sign of a healthy sleeper. Harvard Medical School sleep specialist Rebecca Robbins revealed that falling asleep does take about 15 minutes for a healthy sleeper, as falling asleep and sleeping itself are two distinct activities. She also emphasised that the more you stress about not being asleep, the lower your chances get of actually delving into dream land.

Dozing off too quickly may be a sign of serious sleep deprivation, which have been linked with physical and mental health harm. Robbins compares it to being food deprived – if you are starving, you will devour your next meal. A well nourished individual would most likely take their time when eating. So for those who get K.O-ed when hitting the pillow, fixing up a schedule might be the best option. Now for those who spend around half an hour staring at the ceiling…

1 – Get up.

If you can’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, Robbins recommends getting out of bed and going to a dimly lit room. Proceed to do something calming until you get drowsy. This applies for when you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall asleep again.

2 – Make the bed a sacred space.

Keep your brain from seeing your bedroom as anything else other than where you sleep (or engage in otherwise sexual activities). This will cause your brain to associate sleep with the room, thus making it more likely for you to fall asleep easily. Don’t work, check your phone or watch TV in there. It’s a sacred sleeping space.

3 – Prepare a routine.

Preparing a routine works wonders for just about anything, and it would make sense for this to apply for sleep. Robbins actually recommends this – brush your teeth, take a bath, read a book or listen to some calming music. Teach your mind to go into ‘preparation mode’, then just climb into bed at the same time. Same applies for waking up.

4 – Calm your mind.

For some reason, that embarrassing thing you did ten years ago pops into your head exactly when you try to fall asleep. Robbins has some tips to deal with worry when trying to sleep. She recommends keeping a ‘worry list’ by your bedside – write down anything you need to do the next day on a piece of paper on your bedside and accept that you’ll address them tomorrow. Breathing techniques or meditation are great as well – count your breaths slowly and before you know it – you’re in dreamworld!

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Sportswoman of the year goes to Olympic Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard

Oct 4 2021

The University of Otago in New Zealand has named weightlifter Laurel Hubbard Sportswoman of the Year. The 43-year-old made history this year when she became the first transgender athlete to compete in an individual event at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Despite not being able to make a successful snatch and ended up knocked out of the competition, her achievements have been recognised by the university, awarding her the title at the Blues Awards earlier this year.

Hubbard expressed her gratitude in a statement made to Otago Daily Times, highlighting the support and kindness received from the teaching staff and students at the university. ‘This award belongs to everyone who has been part of my Olympic journey’ she said. Hubbard had broken her arm three years prior at the Commonwealth Games, with doctors advising that her sport career had likely ended. Hubbard persisted however, exclaiming that encouragement and love carried her through darkness.

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Photo Source: Alamy