Saudi Women to Form World’s Largest ‘Pink Ribbon’ Human Chain, In Partnership With MBC Group

 “Let it be known that as of this day, ignorance is no longer an excuse and no woman should be allowed to be left to suffer in silence” – These are the words HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud chose to use for the launch of ‘A Woman’s Stand’ campaign – a local Saudi initiative to help raise and increase breast cancer awareness efforts in the Kingdom so that they are at par with global standards.
The campaign is launching under the patronage of the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation and is organized by HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar and Al Bidayah Breast Feeding Resource & Women’s Awareness Center for the Zahra Breast Cancer Association.
“Breast cancer affects women mainly at their 40s. Contrary to local knowledge, it is a disease that if caught at early time can be cured. Awareness efforts such as this campaign are imperative to help people realize that early detection with screening mammography and medical consultation whenever there is a breast problem are important factors to save lives. A good attitude towards this disease and those affected by it is mandatory.” Said, Dr. Muna Baslaim, a Breast Surgeon and head of Breast Unit at King Fahd General Hospital in Jeddah.
Twenty four percent of cancer cases in the Kingdom are breast cancer cases making it the leading form of cancer within the country. According to the latest Saudi Cancer Registry report over 10,000 cases of cancer were treated in one year alone. Seeing the effects that breast cancer is having on Saudi society, HRH Princess Reema and Al Bidayah Center decided to collaborate and create an awareness campaign that would educate and allow the average women to make a difference.
The cooperation response for the campaign was great, where Avon (for cosmetic) participated as the silver sponsor and MBC Group joined the campaign as the exclusive media- broadcast partner.
During the campaign launch, Dr. Modi Batterjee, spokesperson for the campaign, volunteering for Zahra Breast Cancer Association and founding member of Al Bidayah Center confirmed that: “The campaign climax will take place in Jeddah on 28 October 2010, when thousands of women (ages 12 and up) from across the Kingdom unite to form the largest human chain in the form of a ‘Pink Ribbon’ – the international symbol of breast cancer awareness. The ribbon formation is an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the category of Largest Human Awareness Ribbon.”
The current Guinness World Record holder for the category of Largest Human Awareness Ribbon is AIDS-Hilife Frankfurt e.v. which was able to secure 3,640 participants in Germany on 29 June 2007. The Saudi campaign aims to attract enough participants to break this record and place Saudi Arabia and its women into the Book of Records.
Through this attempt, the organizers hope to increase awareness around the causes and effects breast cancer has on people and illustrate the strength, commitment and solidarity women share to prove that when people act together great things can be achieved.
HRH Princess Reema invites women from all regions, ages and occupations to come and participate in this momentous event, adding that the attempt is symbolic in two means: “Saudi society is very closely knit and it is no surprise to see communities unite when it is to the benefit of the society. Second, the participants will represent the multiple backgrounds of Saudi society which is a key point in that breast cancer doesn’t differentiate between rich or poor, young or old and if not treated, as it affects everyone in the same manner.”