Lovepink is a support breast cancer community "warriors" and "survivors" in their battle. Through campaigns such as breast self-examination (Sadari) Lovepink aims to raise breast cancer until Indonesia is free from the disease.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, accounting for 23 percent of all cancers in Indonesia, with a rate of 14 percent of the mortality. According to the Ministry of Health and the Indonesian Cancer Foundation (YKI), breast cancer was the most common cancer in the nation in 2012, behind cervical cancer.
Breast cancer patients face financial challenges physical, emotional, psychological and also from the time they are diagnosed. Undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and mastectomy are painful procedures to patients with breast cancer.
While treatments work to fight disease, breast cancer patients also require a significant amount of financial resources and a support system to help them fight against the disease successfully. Those who have a mastectomy not only deal with the reality of losing important parts of their femininity, but must also fight to make adjustments. In turn, some women may deal with issues of self-esteem and, sadly, stories circulate even some women being left by their husbands.
breast cancer survivor Madelina Mutia found this experience to be "very traumatic." With his friend Shanti Persada, both have gone through a tough battle. "We have struggled to overcome the emotional trauma and suffered the loss of a significant portion of our femininity in cancer," says Mutia. But instead of insisting on these difficult experiments, Mutia Persada and were inspired to share their experiences with other women who have also been diagnosed with this form of cancer.
In 2011, Mutia Persada and built the breast cancer community, Lovepink. The group, made up of women who have and are still fighting against breast cancer has become a home for those seeking support, advice and also information. Mutia Persada and felt that emotional support was something that needed to be strengthened so that the warriors are spared to feel alone in their struggle.
Spreading the hope, courage and inspiration, Lovepink wants to help women understand that it is impossible to defeat the disease.
Lovepink members in a class makeup
Lovepink suggests that 80 percent of cancer treatment deals with how patients perceive they fight disease. Therefore, Mutia encourage warriors to have faith. "We make them believe that breast cancer is not the end of the world. Your determination to be healthy is the main key. Positive thinking plays a big role."
Embodying the spirit of this community, Lovepink members are "fighters at the end," according survivor, Aini Hutasoit. She tells a particular story shared by another survivor who was in the middle of getting a divorce when she was diagnosed. "She was in her early 30s without a job and two small children. But his faith and determination to make a living back its got through it. With the support of his family and friends, she took out a winner with a project own health law for the past 14 years, "said Hutasoit.
in 2014, Lovepink was officially known as a foundation under the name of Yayasan Daya Dara Indonesia. as the amount of patients breast cancer has increased, and Mutia Persada knew they needed to educate more people about the disease. Although the community remains a top priority, raising awareness about breast cancer has become even more crucial. "Principal missions Yayasan Indonesia Dara are giving assistance and psychological support to patients with breast cancer during and after treatment and to raise awareness and educate women in general about the importance of early detection, "says Mutia.
Sadari Campaign
For this reason, Lovepink working on a campaign called Sadari (check her own breasts for cancer). "Sadari ( Periksa Payudara Sendiri ) is a way to become familiar with your breasts and to notice changes that may occur. It is recommended to make a habit of doing monthly self-examination from 20 years therefore, there will be fewer women diagnosed with breast cancer stages advanced "developing Hutasoit.
to further promote the campaign, Lovepink recently launched an application called Lovepink Breasties which can be downloaded free, to remind people of Sadari perform each month. It is currently available on Android, but Lovepink plans to launch the iOS version before the end of January.
Notwithstanding the fact that breast cancer is commonly associated with women, illness refuses to discriminate. people, whatever their age, health status and sex, might have a chance of getting breast cancer. Yes, even men are susceptible to cancer breast.
Such knowledge is important, especially when Indonesia growing cancer patients tends to be faster than the availability of doctors and facilities. The government has made efforts to help fight cancer, but there is still much to do. "The government has issued BPJS covers chemotherapy and some drugs against cancer. But unfortunately, a lot still needs to be attended to that question," laments Mutia.
That being said, Lovepink remains optimistic in their efforts to provide support to the warriors and survivors, and also educate people about breast cancer and early detection. "Our goals are to have all the women across the country educated about breast health and understand the importance of Sadari as part of their lifestyle, because early detection can save lives, "said Mutia.
regarding members Lovepink, they continue to empower another, even when the odds might be against them. as Hutasoit reflects, "I learned that when you do not have a choice, you can do anything! It becomes your mission to live and persevere. "
For more information on donations, volunteer programs or a chance to share in Lovepink activities, please visit their website at www.lovepinkindonesia .org