11th February 2009
11th February 2009 ABCF was invited to Sir Paul Boffa hospital by the Malta Association of Physiotherapists. The presentation was entitled ‘Breast Cancer … Links to the environment’. The lecture was well attended with participants interacting with interesting questions and discussion.
20th March 2009
20th March 2009 € 2350 were presented to Esther Sant on behalf of ABCF as a fund raising activity from ‘Milied Melliehi’ an initiative that was led by Tania Bugeja from Mellieha. The Mayor Robert Cutajar commened the various NGO from Mellieha that all supported other organisation such as ABCF with their creative work and commitment.
23rd April 2009 Excelsior Talk
The Breast Awareness talk given to the Grand Hotel Excelsior employees as part to their staff development programme was an event to be commended for. This shows how much the management cares to further develop the human resources’ knowledge on a topic that is quite unpopular.
Helen and Esther of Action for Breast Cancer Foundation enjoyed giving the talk as the participants interacted very well and showed an interest to know more. In fact asked about any activities that the foundation might be holding.
We would like to thank Mr Norbert Grixti for offering ABCF a voucher for a two night stay for two persons at Grand Hotel Excelsior. This is not all, as management also offered us to host “Freedom to Focus Day 2” next year. At the end of the awareness session a handsome donation of €50.00 was also presented. Thank you all for your unfailing support is much appreciated!
30th April 2009
A meeting with the Hon. Dr. Joe Cassar Parliamentary Secretary for Health was held, in which a report on the current situation of the breast prostheses was presented.
10th June 2009 Freedom to Focus Day 1
Freedom to Focus Day 1was another successful event. Fifteen participants attended and the day started as planned. The nutritionist Lucienne Pace gave a very informative talk on food that we should consume more and other that should be taken with caution. It was a very interactive discussion too with interesting questions addressed to Ms Pace.
Then came the Pilates session that helped us to relax more and with the constant guidance of Carolyn Hili we managed to do 45 minuets of exercises that does not leave you breathless and exhausted. While Pilates is all about using muscles that we normally don’t.
It was then time for something to eat and the bruschetta, salads and risottos were all we needed settle round the tables and chat and get to know more each.
It was at this time that we all took turns to do massages with the help Tania, Mary, Carolyn and other therapist at the hotel. Needless to say everyone welcomed this treatment open arms!
Benna Chase was next on the program and she gave us a very informative presentation on Sexuality. Again it was very enlightening to listen and issues were also shared and discussed in the right perspective.
The feedback was very good and participants commended the event as it run according to plan. Of course this wouldn’t had been possible without the involvement of Tania Bugeja the manageress of the Atrium SPA that hosted the whole day for the benefit of Action for Breast Cancer Foundation.
17th June 2009 Carousel @ Susie Gatsey’s
Susie Gatsey was kind enough to host a production of Carousel at her home in Swieqi. Around 120 people attended this beautiful show, performed under the direction of Alice Horne, by her choir.
Apart from the great music, there was a wonderful meal, all prepared by Alice with the help of her husband Archie. There were some great prizes for the raffle and the evening raised almost € 2350.
A big ‘Thank you’ goes to the many people who helped make this event such a success.
In the next newsletter issue, ABCF will issue a summary of how these funds were utilised.
19th June 2009 Charlie Cardona Boxing Event
Charlie Cardona organized a Boxing Demonstration on behalf of the Action For Breast Cancer Foundation(ABCF). € 573.74 were raised on the night. This was the second time Charlie organized an event like this for our cause.
Both Charlie and his wife Sarah and his children all gave their time collecting donations from the public who were present.
ABCF wish to thank Charlie and Sarah for their undying support to the Foundation. They have supported ABCF from day one.
Esther and Betty Hanley Lee set up a stand for ABCF at the event and were delighted with the amount of people who came to support us. There was also a good response from men who also seem interested in breast cancer and helping ABCF in the best way they can.
29th July 2009
A preliminary meeting was held at National Council of Women head office in Blata l-Bajda.
10th October 2009
The Pink Day organized by Action for Breast Cancer Foundation last Saturday, 10th October at City Gate Valletta was an event that combined breast awareness with physical activity and keeping contact with the general public. Besides the distribution of printed awareness material, Anita Mullen performed aerobics to those that were willing to participate. Participation was encouraging and passers by were also willing to dance along the music provided. The fitness session was coordinated in conjunction with Malta Exercise and Fitness Association. Pink Day wouldn’t have been possible without the support of San Michel Water, Jesper’s Danish Bakery, Sylvan Pace Entertainment, Anita Mullen of AriaVitale, MEHFA, Sound Tech-8 of Valletta and last but not least The Tourism Information Centre of City Gate Valletta. Charlie Cardona, Marica and Josef Beck as always were a great help during our activity. A combined effort that bore fruit indeed. Thank you to all.
13th October 2009
Action for Breast Cancer Foundation gave a breast awareness talk at Suzy Gatesy residence on Tuesday 13th October 2009 to the AIWA. Furthermore on the 18th November 2009 at the Sagristia Vault Valletta Water Front a charity recital was organized by the same AIWA in aid of ABCF.
It was a real honored that Gillian Zammit performed in aid of our foundation. Non the less the Sassoni Quartet and Tom Gardner with Jenny Meads also made and exceptional presentation.
16th October 2009
ABCF was honored to be invited to tour the premises of the Malta Breast Screening Program by the Hon Dr J. Cassar Minister for Health. Aso present were Dr Nadine Delicata and Profs Psaila Consultant for this project. The Action for Breast Cancer Foundation Committee is very satisfied with the lauch of this much awaited project and assures stake holder that we will continue to champion the initiative by encouraging the invited ladies to accept the invite and therefore save as many lives as possible.
19th October 2009: The Westin Dragonara Talk
As part of their social and Corporate Responsibility The Westin Dragonara Resort organized by Training Manager Mariola Matyszkiewicz. This talk took place on the 19th October 2009. ABCF and Maryanne Massa from Heath Promotion And Disease Protection Dept was very satisfied with the turn out and the interaction during discussion.
Pinkoctober 2009 with Hard Rock Cafe.
Rock out for a cure this October was the motto for the Hard Rock staff celebrating PINKTOBER at the Hard Rock locations in Malta ! The 2009 PINKTOBER campaign marked the 9th-year anniversary of Hard Rock’s support of a search for a cure to breast cancer. The month-long PINKTOBER campaign was an initiative created to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research, and it features limited-edition products, as well as a series of live music and fundraising events at Hard Rock establishments around the world.
Action for Breast Cancer Foundation benefited form proceeds of special limited-edition 2009 Hard Rock PINKTOBER merchandise, with 75% of the retail price of each pin going directly to the cause.
HSBC Swatar employees also donated funds collected a part of Breast Awareness Week organised internally for their staff members.
1st November 2009: ABCF Gozo Walk
On the 1st of November 2009 Charlie Cardona organized his 3rd walk in aid of Action for Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF). This time it was held in Gozo, from Gharb to Xlendi and ending in Mgarr. Minister for Gozo Honourable Giovanna Debono joined us at Victoria and had words of encouragement to Charlie and the entire crowd that participated. She also commended the foundation for being affiliated to the Health and Environmental Alliance (HEAL) as what regards cancer prevention. The walk ended in Mgarr where all had lunch. ABCF is affirming the need for Herceptin to be given to all women that needs it even those going through recurrences. The foundation believes that the best quality cancer treatment should be given to all cancer patients irrespective of their education, culture and social status and even though their disease has returned. It is imperative that Malta take long term, sustainable actions to tackle cancer.
5th November 2009: The Rotaract Club Event
Action for Breast Cancer Foundation would like to formally thank Rotaract Malta La Vallette for the Two Hundred Euro donation (€200) presented to Helen Muscat and Esther Sant on the 5th November 2009 at the Intercontinental, St Julian’s. We were very pleased to give you an overview of our foundation and to actually see your keen interest in the subject. It’s been also a great pleasure to have Rotaract Malta La Vallette’s support for on the 1st November walk which took place in Gozo.
We would shortly be informing you how the moneys were spent. In the meantime it was a great pleasure getting to know Rotaract Malta La Vallette and look forward to work together on joint projects.
