RAFI holds Moonwalk to advocate breast cancer awareness

In observance of Breast Awareness Month in October, the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) held the 8th annual “Moonwalk: A Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness” last Oct. 18.

The Moonwalk assembled nearly 3,000 people on the lot beside Pag-Ibig Fund Tower in Cebu Business Park at 5 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., the “Moonwalkers” walked to The Walk in Asiatown I.T. Park, passing by Archbishop Reyes Avenue. At the Asiatown I.T. Park, the participants, wearing pink shirts, formed a pink human ribbon. Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale graced the short program that followed the walk.

Most of the participants were cancer patients, women from the barangays, students, professionals, youth, public institutions, and private companies.

For this year, Moonwalk was originally scheduled to happen under a full moon last Oct. 12 but was postponed to Oct. 18 due to bad weather.

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.

It is also a campaign of RAFI to get more people to be aware on the importance of early cancer detection and prevention. At the same time, it is a tribute to the victims and survivors of breast cancer.

“We always hold the Moonwalk during a full moon and Oct. 12 is when the moon is at its fullest this month. Full moon, because it is symbolically linked to women. However, we have to postpone it to Oct. 18 due to the bad weather,” delos Reyes said.

He emphasized the importance of early screening and early detection of cancer—women should undergo breast self-examination at the age of 20, clinical breast examination at the age of 30, and regular yearly mammography screening for women aged 40 years old and above.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women, based on the Cebu population-based Cancer Registry of RAFI.

From 1998 to 2007, Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of RAFI recorded a total of 2,499 reported breast cancer cases in Metro Cebu. EJACC found a continuous increase of breast cancer incidence in Metro Cebu over the past 10 years, caused by lifestyle and health-related factors.

Moonwalk is organized in collaboration with The Walk and in coordination with Ayala Center and I CAN SERVE Foundation. It is supported by the Cebu City Government, Asiatown I.T. Park, Cebu Business Park, Philippine National Bank, Allied Banking Corporation, Cebu Praedia Development Corporation, Cebu Folding Bike Society, Department of Health, Destiny Medical Fund, Natures Spring, Goldilocks Bakeshop, Monde Nissin, Seventh Day Adventist, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and other cancer support groups—KAHAYAG Network of Cancer Support Group, Cebu Cancer Fight, Cebu Breast Association, and CAN with GOD.

Moonwalk is an initiative of EJACC under the Integrated Development focus area of RAFI, addressing health issues of communities in order to create a better quality of life.

Visit the Official Website of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) at http://rafi.org.ph for details.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) is a non-stock, non-profit organization committed to “elevating lives through a comprehensive approach that champions best practices in community development”.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI)
35 Lopez Jaena Street, 6000 Cebu City, Philippines
6332-418-7234
ellen.red@rafi.org.ph
http://www.rafi.org.ph

This release was published on openPR.