68 October 2014 www.womanthismonth.com The most common cancer among women worldwide, breast cancer is a leading cause of death globally. Armed with local support, Think Pink Bahrain has cracked the decades of silence that shrouded this silent disease. Saving Lives PEOPLE | interview by SIMI KAMBOJ For an ailment for which cause and cure continues to baffle scientists, breast cancer is best fought with early intervention, screening and awareness. However, in Bahrain and elsewhere in the region, a culture of taboos and myths surrounding this disease has significantly impacted the spread of knowledge. Having been touched by breast cancer herself, Julie Sprakel set up Think Pink Bahrain in 2004 in order to make information about it accessible on the island. This was long before the proliferation of social media channels. Ten years later, the team’s success is a testament not only to their professionalism and commitment, but also to the support from the local community. We caught up with the founder and chairwoman of the organisation as she plans the celebrations of its milestone. Woman This Month (WTM): Congratulations on completing a decade in Bahrain. What are your thoughts on this occasion? Julie Sprakel (JS): I am extremely proud of this milestone. Our team here is driven by the support we receive from the public each year, which propels our mission further. We have enabled educational development at a healthcare level to support breast cancer patients in Bahrain. I’ve been privileged to know remarkably strong women and their families, and to be part of their lives at an incredibly sensitive time. I’m most proud that we are a homegrown registered charity that now has a solid foundation and is one that a new generation can take forward. WTM: Looking back over the past years, what accomplishments stand out for you? JS: We’ve funded nine healthcare professionals with an international certification from Klose Institute, Germany, to provide lymph oedema treatment. These nurses and physiotherapists work at Salmaniya Medical Complex, BDF Hospital and King Hamad University Hospital. We’ve also paid tuition for four nurses to receive their MSc at RCSI Bahrain, with a thesis on breast cancer issues. The biggest
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