Global Pink Ribbon Month for Breast Cancer, Annual Walkathon announced in Oman

The Oman Cancer Association (OCA) would facilitate the October Global Pink Ribbon Month for Breast Cancer awareness all over Oman.

This is the 19th year the OCA will hold the event which engages schools, colleges, companies, and the community through community settings and malls from the 1st to the 30th of October 2023 with the goal of increasing awareness on breast cancer.

Activities will include:
1.    Awareness programs for breast cancer
2.    Mobile Mammography Unit to offer free mammography services to all ladies above 40 years of age at some malls.
3.    Free clinical breast examination and daily programs to teach young ladies how to undertake self-breast examination as part of the screening for breast cancer. It is important to note that instances of breast cancer are very high in Oman, affecting young ladies under 40 years of age.
4.    Educational programs in schools, colleges, and companies.

This year's theme is "Every Step Counts”. The Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness month will end with the Annual Walkathon. The Oman Cancer Association in 2022, successfully ran the 18th Annual Walkathon with almost 8,000 participants at the Qurum Park.
The 19th Annual Walkathon this year will be differently organised:
1.    It will be on a Friday- 3rd November 2023 at Qurum Park.
2.    It will be from 10 am to 6.30 pm with different entertaining activities and a food court for the family to enjoy the day out in the park. OCA has organised activities for children and adults.
3.    The Walkathon (which is symbolic) will start at 4.30 pm and end by 6.30 pm for a distance of around 1.5 km.
4.    To get an impact, all participants will wear a T-shirt given free during registration.

The aim of the symbolic Walkathon is:
a.    To support patients with cancer/ survivors and their families by showing that the community cares for them.
b.    To create awareness and advocacy in the community
c.    To encourage the children to learn about Cancer.
d.    To raise funds for the work of the Association.

Registration will be available at the following locations every Thursday, Friday and Saturday:
a.    City Centre Muscat
b.    Araimi Boulevard,
c.    Oman Avenues Mall
d.    Mall of Oman
e.    The OCA Headquarters from Sunday to Thursday

T-shirts are available in three different colours: Pink, White, and Navy Blue, the organisers said.