This October, the Johor Baru Breast Cancer Support
Group (BCSG) joins the world in proudly declaring that, “We are all Pink Heroes”
as they celebrate 15 years of providing holistic care to patients and
survivors.
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| Mrs Doris Boo [Center] with the team from the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation |
The team at BCSG believes in the motto that Support +
Encouragement = Hope!
Over the years I’ve shared stories about the work of
the BCSG and witnessed how this NGO developed into a vibrant and respected organization
which is providing much-needed support to women from all walks of life.
At the Center, I met with patients who were battling
the dreaded disease and facing the challenges and fears in undergoing
treatments as saw survivors bravely emerging to live a full life again.
BCSG has a team of experienced nurses who have come
out of their retirement to volunteer their professional skills in counselling patients
and caregivers who are fighting the battle alongside their loved ones.
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| Adding a message of encouragement to the Pink Heroes on the Pink Ribbon |
I can still remember joining friends in BCSG for their
huge celebration when they officially opened their new Center as a haven of
hope for newly diagnosed patients, who would meet here regularly and receive
practical and moral support from fellow patients and survivors.
The Center is designed with various sections both
indoor and outdoor, for wellness activities like basic yoga, fitness exercise,
handicrafts and cooking classes, rooms for physiotherapy, counselling, music
and karaoke singing as well as guiding post-reconstructive surgery patients in
the use of breast Prosthesis and mastectomy Brassieres (P & B).
In 2017, the wonderful work of BCSG was duly acknowledged
with the Iskandar Social Heroes Award, both in the Organisation category as
well as then president, Mrs Doris Boo, who received the award in the Individual
category.
To celebrate the BCSG’s 15th anniversary, the
Pink Heroes organized a Fun Walk from Dataran Johor Baru to the BCSG Center
which kicked off bright and early at 6.30am.
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| Getting a Face-Painting design on her face! |
Meanwhile at the Center, a Doodle drawing competition
was arranged for those who were not participating in the Fun Walk.
Booths were set up for Face-Painting and Hair-Tinselling
and a handicraft stall from which to buy souvenirs.
By about 8.45am, the first Pink Heroes reached the
Center to complete their Fun Walk.
Not only were the first 15 Pink Heroes rewarded with
Medals, the top three Best Dressed Teams in the Fun Walk also received prizes!
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| Handicrafts for sale from this stall |
After a rest and refreshment break, the fun continued
with a series of dance presentations dubbed, Let’s Danz with The BCSG.
Their enthusiasm and surprisingly good sense of rhythm
and coordination said a great deal about the members’ commitment to dance and
practice regularly together, both for fun and for physical exercise.
For this special celebration, the BCSG members, friends
and families put their best feet forward to showcase a series of five dance
performances.
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| Registering for Health Check with Johor Health Department |
It started with a Bollywood dance, followed by a Zumba
exercise routine and the BCSG signature dance and continued with a Malay dance
before ending with a cool Line Dance.
The cheers and feet-tapping music encouraged onlookers
to join in the synchronized dances and the celebration reached an appropriate crescendo
to encourage the Pink Heroes to battle on, for themselves and their families.
It was simply heartwarming to see the Pink community,
made up of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sikh and others – men, women, teenagers and
kids – all gathered in such unity and support for each other while they were
battling a common enemy.
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| Registering for Mammogram and PAP Smear with the Tunku Laksamana Johor Cancer Foundation |
Meanwhile in the lobby, there were games to play and in
the Activity room, free consultations were offered by a qualified Dietitian and
Doctor.
This year, the team from the Yayasan Tunku Laksamana
Johor Cancer Foundation offered registrations for mammogram and PAP smears, provided
Free-of-Charge.
A team from the Johor Health Department was also
present to provide Health Checks on visitors who wished to do so here.
Another section provided advice on the procedures in Breast
Self-Examination (BSE) and the use of P & B, while BCSG had a price
promotion on quality P & B products, specially offered in this month.
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| Watching and learning from the Cooking Demo to prepare Peranakan specialties |
The programme of activities finally ended in the
outdoor section, with a cooking demonstration of several Peranakan specialties.
The center for the JB Breast Cancer Support Group is
at No. 12 Jalan Ru, Taman Kebun Teh, 80250 Johor Baru, Johor.
For more info, visit Facebook page for BCSGJB or Breast
Cancer Support Group Johor Bahru.
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