Mangupura (Bali Post) - 29 October 2011

The Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak organized a Brest Cancer Awareness activity on Friday, 28th October, at the Metis Restaurant on Jalan Petitenget. This activity was done in October because it’s World Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak’s aim is to help underprivileged community members in Bali detect Breast Cancer early.

Around 200 people attended this fundraising event. The funds collected will be used to pay for mammograms as well as chemotherapy for underprivileged individuals suffering from Breast Cancer in Bali. The Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak is working with Prima Medika Hospital who will be completing the mammograms and chemotherapy for cancer victims.

Breast examination and chemotherapy treatments are becoming very expensive in Indonesia. With free examination, it is hoped that more people can get help early. “Think Pink is the theme of this Breast Cancer Awareness Event,” said the President of the Club, T. Patrick van Kampen, Ph.D. yesterday. During the fundraising event an auction and fashion show took place. Clothing for the show was from the Barbara Tollitt Collection.

President Patrick further said, “Unfortunately, there is no complete data concerning the total number of Breast Cancer victims in Indonesia. However, the current data shows an increase of about 8% in the number of cases reported over the past year. The total number of cases in Indonesia is very frightening. One of the major problems faced by community members is the lack of awareness about the need for early detection and the critical shortage of diagnostic equipment in Bali.”

The Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak will continue to try and raise funds in the future so that that as many underprivileged women as possible in Bali will receive free mammograms. President Patrick noted, “We want every person in Bali to have access to the necessary education about this silent killer.”

President Patrick who originated from the United States, has been residing in Bali for nearly 20 years. He said the Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak is always looking for new projects to help the community. “Each year we try and start new projects, because of the many needs here in Bali.” He finished by saying this is WHY he and many others have joined Rotary – “To help others less fortunate than ourselves.”