Every October, the annual campaign for breast cancer awareness takes place, aiming to educate especially women on the disease. Coming from the survivors themselves, they shared testimonies and stories of hope—letting other diagnosed patients that they are not alone in this journey.
To celebrate, Thrive Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Breast Cancer Awareness Advocacy Group gathered breast cancer survivors to inspire and attest against the disease at H&M Hallway, Centrio Ayala Malls on October 6.
The organizers urged mall visitors, especially women, to avail of their free breast checkup.
Opening up the program, members of Thrive CDO marched into the lively beat of the ‘I will Survive’ song performed by Honeylin Mangubat.
Honeylin Mangubat performing ‘I will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor together with other breast cancer survivors.
Victoria Ray Apale, also known as Sassa, imparted her battle journey against cancer. Primarily diagnosed with a rare case of Endometrial Cancer stage 3 last June 14, 2018, at the age of 26, Sassa kept an upbeat attitude. She even continues to work and does what she loves amid the journey. “Don’t let the disease stop you from doing the things you needed to do,” Apale urged her fellow cancer warriors. “You just rest, but don’t you ever quit.”
Apart from the testimonies, a short financial education was also given out by Dr. Arch Thor Ponce, aiming to educate everyone on saving up for emergency use, such as in medical expenditures.
Dr. Arch Thor Ponce on financial education
Moreover, Councilors Suzette Magtajas-Daba and Malou Gaane, MD were also present, as well as City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Executive Overseer Michael Fabello and representatives from the Department of Health (DOH) X.
Councilor Suzette Magtajas-Daba in tears as she recalls her late mother who had cancer.
Blayce helped launch WhatALife! Blog in late May 2019, publishing trendy lifestyle and entertainment articles, local and international news reports, as well as inspiring feature stories of successful individuals hailing from Cagayan de Oro City. A jack-of-all-trades, she is a part-time gamer, occasional guitar player, and a zombie-genre fanatic.
To celebrate, Thrive Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Breast Cancer Awareness Advocacy Group gathered breast cancer survivors to inspire and attest against the disease at H&M Hallway, Centrio Ayala Malls on October 6.
The organizers urged mall visitors, especially women, to avail of their free breast checkup.
Opening up the program, members of Thrive CDO marched into the lively beat of the ‘I will Survive’ song performed by Honeylin Mangubat.
Victoria Ray Apale, also known as Sassa, imparted her battle journey against cancer. Primarily diagnosed with a rare case of Endometrial Cancer stage 3 last June 14, 2018, at the age of 26, Sassa kept an upbeat attitude. She even continues to work and does what she loves amid the journey. “Don’t let the disease stop you from doing the things you needed to do,” Apale urged her fellow cancer warriors. “You just rest, but don’t you ever quit.”
Apart from the testimonies, a short financial education was also given out by Dr. Arch Thor Ponce, aiming to educate everyone on saving up for emergency use, such as in medical expenditures.
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