Supreme Court turns pink for Cancer Day

Pink Ribbon announces establishment of five breast cancer hospitals in all provincial capitals

ISLAMABAD: On the eve of February 4 also globally known as the World Cancer Day, the Supreme Court of Pakistan was illuminated in the pink colour in support of Pink Ribbon Pakistan.

The event was organised in commemoration of World Cancer Day, to raise awareness about all types of cancers, and stand in solidarity with the survivors, especially breast cancer as the prevalence of breast cancer is the maximum amongst all the cancers in Pakistan i.e. 38.5%.

For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the prestigious building of the Supreme Court was illuminated for a cause which is most important for millions of women of Pakistan.



Speaking on the occasion, CEO Pink Ribbon Omer Aftab said it is indeed an honour for us to illuminate the highest court of appeal in Pakistan for such a noble cause.

Thousands of precious lives are lost every year due to ignorance, late diagnosis and myths related to breast cancer. Despite the fact, that out of all the types of cancers, breast cancer is the only cancer that can be cured successfully if diagnosed at an early stage, whereas it is so unfortunate that this cancer alone claims 40,000 lives every year. He said that as per the new statistics, almost 10.2 million Pakistani women are at high risk of getting breast cancer in their life time. These alarming statistics need to be taken seriously by every citizen of the country. Mr. Aftab said we need to re-establish our health structure based on better researched statistics of disease burden. Besides this, a special focused awareness drive is required to promote the concept of “prevention is better than cure”.



Talking about the illumination of Supreme Court he said this is a very significant and historical moment in the fight against breast cancer in Pakistan. Involvement of such a sanctified institution has provided hope to thousands of breast cancer patients in Pakistan. He expressed his deep gratitude to Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar for his generous permission for the illumination of the prestigious building to spread awareness about breast cancer.

Pink Ribbon has announced establishment of five breast cancer hospitals in all provincial capitals of Pakistan. Whereas with the support of public patronage we have already started the construction of Pakistan’s first dedicated breast cancer hospital in Lahore.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2018.