October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer. And in 2024, humans and animals alike took to the streets, donned their pinkest outfits, and ran together to show solidarity for people diagnosed with cancer.
HOW DID IT GET SO PINK?
The campaign was first established in 1985 when the former United States First Lady, Mrs. Betty Ford, was diagnosed with breast cancer and survived the disease.
The partnership between the American Cancer Society an the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca) started promoting mammography as the most effective diagnostic tool in the fight against breast cancer.
In 1993, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation was created and established the Pink Ribbon as a symbol in support against breast cancer.
A PINK PHILIPPINES
The Philippines adopted this campaign in the 1990s as breast cancer became the most common cause of cancer in the country for women, surpassing lung cancer.
According to the World Health Organization data for 2022, the Philippines has the highest breast cancer incidence globally, with 33,079 cases reported. This includes an estimate of over 27,000 new cases and approximately 9,000 deaths each year.
That’s why the Philippine Society of General Surgeons, in partnership with other organizations, has been at the forefront of breast cancer awareness and fund-raising since 2014 through its annual Pink Run.
The run also serves as a healthy lifestyle for the prevention of any kind of cancer since 2017.
PERFECT RUN COMPANIONS
In 2024, to make the annual Pink Run more fun and meaningful, the Philippine Society of General Surgeons Southern Tagalog Chapter (PSGS-STC), through their fellows in Oriental Mindoro, in collaboration with the Oriental Mindoro Medical Society, Oriental Mindoro government and Calapan City government, has allowed Dogs to participate in the race.
Around 50 humans and their wonderful fur-buddies participated in the run with the theme “D’feeting Breast Cancer Fur-ther”.
IT’S MORE FUN WITH DOGS
Research shows Dogs can also detect breast cancer using their strong sense of smell. Other countries use them as therapists to help ease patients’ anxiety during cancer treatment.
REWARDING MORE THAN SPEED
Through the partnership of Perfect Fitness Gym Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro Dog Owner’s Association, Dog Yaah K9 Training Center, and Calapan City Youth and Sports Development Department, and the participation of Calapan City Veterinary Service Department and Animal Alliance Asia, the Pink Paw Run 2024 started at Plaza del Gobernador and finished at Calapan City Plaza Pavilion in Oriental Mindoro.
Unlike in traditional races where only the fastest runners get awards, there were other winners at the Pink Paw Run: human participants who wore the best pink fitness attires, Dogs with the best pink costumes, and Dogs with the best tricks.
RUNNING FOR A CAUSE
A warm-up exercise was led by Coach Iren Apusen from Perfect Fitness Gym. Different Dogs— Aspins, Rottweilers, Belgian Malinois, Golden Retrievers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Poodles, and many others — walked 1.5 kilometers along Jose Rizal Street with their humans.
Some Dogs and their human guardians showed teamwork through fun obedience tricks: sitting, standing, rolling, and jumping.
Highlights of the event included an obedience and protection Dog show by K9 trainer Aris Saluta, and a talk by Animal Scene’s very own Editor-in-Chief and Animal Alliance Asia’s Philippine Director Dr. Stef dela Cruz, about the “mutual healing between humans and animals”.
The race concluded with the awarding of the winners. The funds raised at the event were to be donated to the new Hematology-Oncology Chemotherapy Unit at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital. This would help purchase equipment to serve low-income cancer patients in the province, with accreditation by the Department of Health.
ANIMALS AND HUMANS HEALING TOGETHER
During dela Cruz’s talk, the concept of humans and their animal companions playing a role in mutual healing was discussed. For instance, people play a vital role in identifying diseases early on in their animal companions; meanwhile, animals give unconditional love that helps their humans destress and cope better with illness.
Dr. Michael Dennis dela Paz, head of the Department of Surgery at Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital, shares why animals and humans can help each other during times of illness: “We somehow share the same biology and live and interact in the same community. We share the same problems: nutrition, stress, climate change. With our awareness program, we realized that humans and [animals like] Dogs [can both suffer from] dreaded breast cancer.
“We have this connection of trust and hope that someone, such as an animal companion, will be there to care, listen, and encourage us when we are in situations of fear, sorrow, and pain, especially when any kind of disease comes to us. I am happy that this activity was successful, and the proceeds were already donated to fund the oncology unit of the provincial hospital.”
We have this connection of trust and hope that someone, such as an animal companion, will be there to care, listen, and encourage us when we are in situations of fear, sorrow, and pain, especially when any kind of disease comes to us.
AND THE WINNERS ARE…
PSGS-STC is grateful to sponsors Homie Pet Corner and NVP Animal Clinic for the generous giveaways and raffle prizes.
POST-PINK RUN PANELS
After the race, a breast cancer lay forum was conducted at the City Plaza Pavilion with about 200 audience members. The forum included talks from the Calapan City Mayor Honorable Malou Morillo, who shared her experience with breast cancer, as well as various experts such as General Surgeon Dr. Ronalyn Lyra Umali-Leynes, who emphasized the importance of self-examination, annual check-ups, and early diagnosis.
Medical Oncologist Dr. Abigail Aylette Barrientos also shared breast cancer treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, and highlighted financial assistance available in the province.
Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital’s Surgery Department Head Dr. Dela Paz, whose organizing has proved integral to the success of Pink Paw Run, provided updates about breast cancer in the province and revealed the creation of the Oriental Mindoro Breast Cancer Support Group, in partnership with ICanServe Foundation, and the ongoing construction of their chemotherapy unit.
Madonna Virola, finalist at the 2024 Think Pink Awards, moderated the forum with inquiries and stories from breast cancer survivors Drs. Patricia Caballero and Mayet Bolor.
FREE BREAST CANCER SERVICES
The forum concluded with free breast clinic and biopsy services at the Calapan City Health Office Annex, beside the City Pavilion. Around 50 patients were assisted by the Calapan City Health Staff, headed by Dr. Basilisa Llanto, and the Oriental Mindoro Perioperative Nurses Association of the Philippines, headed by Carmela Ingco.
Breast ultrasonography and mammography were given for free at different hospitals in Calapan City: Ma Estrella General Hospital, Luna-Goco Medical Center, Medical Mission Group Calapan Hospital, and Mindoro Medical Center, through the Medical Assistance for Indigent Program.
Six patients were also given free biopsy and surgery at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital. One of the patients shared that the reason why they didn’t get previous consultation was lack of education and funds. With the free check-up, they found some hope and opportunity to be treated.
Photos by MINDORO’S FINEST
