Kids 'pester' moms to go for early cancer detection

Dubai - Children organise 'Love Your Mom' breast cancer awareness neighbourhood

Society may be more accustom to parents protecting their children but a group of youngsters in Dubai recently got together to protect their mums against breast cancer.
Supported by the 'Protect Your Mom' (PYM) campaign - a Dubai-based, zero-cost campaign that relies on the 'pestering power' of students, and social networking sites to reiterate the importance of early detection - the children decorated a small stage within their building and invited all mothers, aunts, sisters and grandmothers from the building's apartments to join the event.
In the forefront was 9-year-old Carthika Sujith, who is well-known for her hair donation campaigns among school children in Dubai.
She organised a breast cancer campaign, 'Love You Mom', after persuading a handful of children from her building to get involved.
 
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Brand Ambassador for PYM, Carthika, said her message is clear.
"We want to create more awareness and inspire other kids to be a part of this awareness drive."
Every year numerous children around the world lose their mother to breast cancer, but with early detection a person's survival rate can increase to 98 per cent.
'Love Your Mom' aimed to spread the message that early detection is key in tackling this disease, and Carthika said no one should be afraid to pester their loved one into performing regular self-examination checks. Grade 7 student Malaika, grade 6 students Afsal and Zain, grade 5 student Eman, grade 4 student Simone and grade 2 students Abhirami and Taqwa joined Carthika in the campaign.
The children staged a skit to show the importance of early detection and donating hair to make wigs for chemotherapy patients.
They also performed interpretive dance and music solos.
Wearable 'gratitude'
From beach bags to T-shirts, and bracelets to scarves, local cancer support group, Blessed, is spreading its message: 'Healing starts with Gratitude' through its unique fashion line - and your message of goodwill could feature in it too.
On Friday and Saturday, the group launched its first official pop up shop, 'The Pink Project', selling clothing and accessories hand-crafted by co-founder of 'Blessed,' Lama Riachi.
"We want everyone to spread awareness of breast cancer and be apart of the discussion," she told Khaleej Times.
With the word 'gratitude' featured on many of the current designs, your words could soon become the inspiration for someone battling the disease.
Urging all mothers, daughters, fathers and brothers to share what they feel most 'blessed' for, Riachi said if picked, the message will be incorporated as part of the design into the group's next fashion line.
All proceeds from the fashion line will go towards cancer patient members to help get the treatment they need.
Blessed is a growing support group, which started out as a three-member Whatsapp group with cancer survivors Lama Riachi and Josefina Abaya co-founding Blessed along with Abaya's sister, May Dulay. Primarily formed for sharing healthy tips for healing, the group soon blossomed and today it has over 92 members consisting of cancer patients, survivors and supporters.
'Blessed' will be rolling out 'The Pink Project' on their website, www.blessedtogether.org, where supporters can shop the fashion line while helping those with cancer. The pop up shop will be open till October 19 at the Mojo gallery in Al Quoz.
Submit your 'blessed' message now at www.blessedtogether.org and become part of a fashion line that battles cancer, not just style
Supplied photos
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai