RAFI to Hold Moonwalk for Breast Cancer Awareness

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) will hold the 14th annual “Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness” on October 28, in observance of Breast Awareness Month in October.

The assembly area for this year’s Moonwalk will be at Fuente Osmeña Circle at 4 p.m. Participants will walk to the Capitol grounds where a short program will be held. The program will feature testimonies of and presentations by various cancer survivors.

By wearing pink, participants help remind their fellow Cebuanos to be aware about cancer, specifically breast cancer, and that they could actually overcome this dreaded disease and live normal lives again.

Moonwalk, a unique advocacy campaign of RAFI held every full moon of October, aims to promote the importance of observing monthly breast self-examination for women aged 20 and beyond.

Breast cancer is the leading cancer affecting and killing our women in the country. In Metro Cebu, there are 2,870 total number of incidence of breast cancer covering a 10-year period from 2003-2012 and1,428 is the mortality number out of the total incidence.

The activity is supported by the Province of Cebu, Cebu City Government, Department of Health-7, Goldilocks, Alcordo Advertising, Cebu Cancer Fight Incorporated, and I CAN SERVE Foundation. It is one of several activities lined up in celebration of October as breast cancer awareness month.

A walk before the event, RAFI and Barangay Tinago, Cebu City, also launched a joint campaign to help increase the public’s awareness on breast cancer prevention with the ceremonial opening of Eduardo Aboitiz Street as “Pink Street.” Pink banderitas (buntings), which gave the street a “fiesta” mood, adorned the street.

Moonwalk is open to the public.

To know more about Moonwalk, or to register, please call 254-6351 or 256-3287 and look for Gina Mariquit.

What are the goals of Moonwalk?

Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness aims to increase awareness in Cebu about the importance of monthly breast self-examination to effectively fight breast cancer, share to the public about the causes of breast cancer and how it can be prevented, and promote collaboration and partnerships with the government, and civic and private sector. It is held annually every October in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women, based on the Metro-Cebu population-based Cancer Registry of Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI). From 2008 to 2012, EJACC recorded a total of 1410 reported breast cancer cases and 723 mortality case for breast cancer in Metro Cebu. EJACC found a continuous increase of breast cancer incidence in Metro Cebu over the past 5 years, caused by lifestyle and health-related factors.

Who are the target participants of the event?

The annual walk for breast cancer awareness gathers cancer patients/survivors and their families; doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners; representatives from the academe and the youth sector; cancer support groups; civil society groups; and local government units.

The event is open to the public. Participants are encouraged to wear pink shirt or any pink costume.

Who are the organizers of the event?

Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness is made possible by the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), in collaboration with the Cebu City Government and Cebu Province and supported by Cebu Cancer Fight Inc., I CAN SERVE Foundation Inc., Alcordo Advertising, Department of Health 7 & Goldilocks.

When and where will this year’s Moonwalk be held?

The 14th Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness will be on Oct. 28. The assembly area will be at Fuente Osmena Circle at 4 p.m. After a short program, participants will then walk towards Capitol Ground 5.30 p.m for a short entertainment on celebrate life.