February - April 2007
Lectures for Health Care Professionals held between February and April 2007 at St’ Philip’s Hospital. Thirty five participants from hospitals including nurses and doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, nurses from MNDNA , and polyclinics attended.
Since the beginning of the year members participated in various media and other activities to promote the foundation, breast cancer awareness, fundraising and the forthcoming events.
ABCF presented twenty two copies of “The European guidelines for quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis” to the following personalities:
Minister of Health Hon. L. Deguara,
Mrs Kate Gonzi
Superintendent St Luke’s hospital Dr F. Bartolo,
Director of Institutional Health, Dr. John Cachia,
Director for Policy and Planning, Dr Ray Scerri.
Pathology Dept, Mr Chris Barbara
Superintendent of Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, Dr. P. Fenech
Oncologists Dr S Brincat (Director) and Dr Victor Muscat Concultant
Minister for Gozo Hon.G. Debono
Breast Unit St Luke’s hospital Ms Antoinette Attard
Directors of Private Hospitals Dr. F. Portelli and Dr. Josie Muscat
Director of Radiology Dr Anthony Samuel
Institute of Health Care
Physiotherapy Dept, Ms Margaret Muscat
Surgical Department Profs of Surgery Profs G. Laferla,
Cancer Registry Dr M. Dalmas,
Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, Hon. Dolores Christina
Leader of the Opposition Dr Alfred Sant
Manager for Nursing staff Violet Camilleri
Hospice Chair person Ms Theresa Naudi
Dr Gordon Caruana Dingli
26th March 2007
Meeting with Mr Louis Grech MEP.
4th May 2007
Launch of the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation.
9th June 2007
Fund raising event was held at PHBS in Mosta. During this event Beauty therapists gave their service to clients at reduced prices, Among others services manicures and pedicures, facials and make up advice on breast examination was offered while podologists, physiotherapist and holistic masseurs also gave their vital input. Blood gloucose and blood pressure where also carried out.
12th June 2007
Meeting with Soroptimist International at the University residence in Lija. Soroptimist Int. are planning an event for next October in aid of breast cancer awareness in Malta and Gozo.
13th June 2007
Presentation of Guidelines to Hospice.
20th June 2007
Soroptimist International held a BBQ at Janatha Stubbs,Villa Tarxien in aid of Breast Cancer and Razzett tal-Hbieberija.
20th June 2007
Members had a meting with Dr. Stephen Brincat at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital.
26th June 2007
Chairperson attended seminar regarding Structural Funds Training and Tap for NGO’s and civil societies by the Malta Resources Centre.
2nd July 2007
Presentation of Biopsy Gun at St Luke’s Hospital.
5th July 2007
Presented by a donation from Novartis-Pharma
9th July 2007
Member attended a meeting to nominate representative of voluntary organisation to sit on the Monitoring Committees for the Cohesion Policy Programmes 2007-2013 at Centru Hidma Socjali 469, St Joseph high Rd. Sta Venera.
10th October 2007
ABCF Website Launch
The launch of the ABCF’s official web site was held at the Health Promotion and Disease Protection Department. Mrs Kate Gonzi launched this event and was the first to log on. Ira Losco an emerging young artist is the foundation’s ambassador. Her message targets younger women in Malta and Gozo, as breast cancer can effect women from a very young. The site includes a video showing how breast examination should be conducted. The site also has a petition urging people to sign the petition calling for a quality assured breast screening program in Malta. Dr Charmaine Gauci director of Health Promotion and Disease Protection department stressed the importance of increasing awareness and information and therefore the launch of a website such as this is very welcome. In fact, Maryanne Massa is the department’s spokes persons on the subject of breast awareness.
20th October 2007
Painting Valletta Pink
Saturday 20th October is Pink Day, officially the signature day of the ABCF Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. October is also internationally known as Breast Cancer Month and ABCF will mark this month by organising a series of events including the Pink Day Information Campaign and Rally.
Kicking-off at 10:00 am at City Gate Valletta, ABCF and Soroptimists International will be interacting with the general public and explaining the importance of being ‘Breast Aware’, handing out information leaflets detailing step-by-step self-examination procedures and giving out pink gifts (pink ribbons & pink muffins) to commemorate the event.
At 11: 30 am, we will be “Painting Valletta Pink” with the commemorative rally – supported by various dignitaries and celebrities including members of parliament and singer Ira Losco.
We aim to show solidarity with our sisters who have battled breast cancer, are currently undergoing the ordeal or have passed away as a result of breast cancer.
28th October 2007
Sponsored Walk
8th November 2007
The first of a series of talks organized in collaboration with the Breast Care Nurses from St Luke’s Hospital, now Mater Dei Hospital began. The first of the ‘Road shows’ was held at Siggiewi. The Road shows are intended to reach the general public and give them vital information in relation to breast awareness. Monthly talks were arranged with chosen localities. Other areas covered include Qawra, Mosta, Mellieha and Gozo.
20th November 2007
Soroptomists International presented ABCF with a donation of € 764, requesting that these funds be used towards educational activities.
On the initiative of Novartis, ABCF also gave a talk on breast awareness to family members and female employees of Novartis at Radisson SAS St. Julians. This was well attended and greatly appreciated.