A symbolic day brings the community together

EMMARENTIA – People from all walks of life are educated about breast cancer.

October 24, 2017

Naledi Mokoena 1 minute read

Liyonela Sonkwala, Bianca Reddy and Zakhe Ngwenya participate in the event.

World Breast Cancer Awareness Day on 20 October was celebrated by caring pharmacy and pharmaceutical companies to raise awareness about the disease.

The pharmacy was transformed into a well-decorated room to accommodate guest speakers and cancer survivors. Guest speaker Dr Nadia Jajbhay, who specialises in radiology, said her talk was about breast and cancer awareness.

She covered a variety of topics which the audience can relate to with regards to cancer.

Dr Nadia Jajbhay gives a talk about breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is a scourge of our time and does not discriminate against colour, age and can affect anybody. Screening mammography is crucial. There are dedicated practices who will offer women a service to be able to diagnose and screen for breast cancer. People shouldn’t wait until they have a symptom but rather to keep in mind mammograms are for early detection,” said Jajbhay.

Delicious food is donated by community members for the event.

After the talk, visitors were treated to delicious treats and snacks decked out on tables. Other companies had displays of their products for people going through chemotherapy, cancer survivors and the general public.

Lerato Machacha, Bianca de Ponte and Kim Marshall at the Cancer Awareness Day.

Shaaziyaa Mayat pharmacist from Medicare Greenhill Pharmacy said, “We started planning the event a couple of months ago and decorated the pharmacy as a team. We were initially expecting 20 people to attend this event but we were excited when the turnout exceeded our expectations.

Adolex medical representative Mirriam Chuma holds hampers to give away to guests.

Salehah Mooka and Nabeela Lambat volunteer at the event.

“We have six brands which displayed their products, handing out freebies and educated people. Every restaurant around us donated something for us to eat or something we can use. Due to the success of this event, we plan to go bigger and better next year. People came from all walks of life for free mammograms, dental examinations and advice.”