Many Maltese women were afraid to obtain information on breast cancer but they had to be convinced it was better to make regular checks as early cancer detection could lead to 95 per cent chance of survival, the president of the Breast Care Support Group said.
Twenty-one years ago, Gertrude Abela said, there existed no support and very little information for those suffering from breast cancer but it was well known today that early detection meant a patient was very likely to survive.
The Breast Care Support Group, affiliated with Europa Donna, the European Breast Cancer Coalition, is one of the three beneficiaries of funds raised by HSBC Contact Centre employees. The other beneficiaries were the Malta Hospice Movement and a former colleague of HSBC staff, Angela Bajada, who is receiving intensive therapy.
Richard Brown, centre director, said initiatives such as the fund-raising project highlighted the social consciousness of employees.
Founded by three ladies 21 years ago, the Breast Care Support Group provides information about disease and treatment at various public fora. The NGO is made up of people who call themselves survivors because they passed through the experience of breast cancer. At present, they are assisting 20 cancer patients.
Bernadette Briffa and Sarah Pace, respectively voluntary services manager and fundraising coordinator at the Malta Hospice Movement, said the HSBC employees’ donation would go towards the ongoing purchase of equipment, which was then lent free of charge to patients. Over 700 patients and their families sought the movement’s assistance throughout this year.
Ms Briffa said the movement was raising funds to build a purposely built hospice for 25 patients. The hospice would be equipped with special palliative and end of life care for cancer, motor neuron disease and incurable lung disease patients. All services will be free of charge.
Ms Bajada suffered traumatic head injuries last May. Her colleagues in the Contact Centre raised funds to cover the annual kindergarten fees for her daughter. Angie’s mother, Anna Bajada, who received the donation, said: “Notwithstanding the difficult and very challenging time we are going through, our grand-daughter is really enjoying herself at school. I thank all Centre employees for their moral and financial support.”
Over 300 foreign delegates are expected to attend the 10th Pan-European Breast Cancer Conference in Malta in October 2011.