‘Thank you Seychelles for your support,’ Soroptimist Club of Victoria   |20 October 2022

An aerial view of the participants in a family photo in the shape of a pink ribbon (Photo credit: PNN photos)

• Successful beach walk in solidarity with cancer patients

It was a pink affair yesterday afternoon at the Beau Vallon beach as people turned up in droves for the annual breast cancer beach walk organised by the Soroptimist Club of Victoria in solidarity with breast cancer patients and their families.

Around a hundred people, branding pink t-shirts, shorts, caps, and pink ribbons to honour survivors, and remember those who have died of the disease, walked the long stretch of Beau Vallon beach for an hour and at the end posed for a family photo in the shape of a pink ribbon.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION, the association’s representative, Roberta Wild, said it was an impressive turnout and they were happy that people had come out in numbers this year to show their support.

“Having not done one in 2020 and doing one on a smaller scale last year, I think people were really waiting to come back again, so we’ve done well,” she said.

The Soroptimist Club of Victoria organises various activities during the cancer awareness month in October to raise funds for various cancer-related projects and awareness about cancer, particularly the importance of early detection.

The annual campaign has been taking place since 2014 and Mrs Wild said the association has remained visible and vocal, demystifying the disease which used to be taboo, to ensure their messages reach the masses.

“Having events like this, it allows people also to see that everybody cares, that people are out there in solidarity. There are so many people that are in the fight right now that are here today and some who could not make it because they are not feeling well but we are here for them,” said Mrs Wild.

One of the participants who spoke to Seychelles NATION is presently following chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cervix cancer in June. She said she was pleased to seeso many people coming out to show their support.

“I have not been out so much since being diagnosed and undergoing treatment and it’s been mostly my family who has been around me. But being here today is good especially when I see so many people being here in solidarity and giving their support”, she said.

For Yannick Hermitte, who lost a relative to cancer, the event was a good initiative.

“I lost my grandmother to cancer a while back, so I am doing my small part as well to support other families,” he said.

Judith Hoareau was taking part in the beach walk for the first time and she also has lost friends to cancer. “It is good to raise awareness and show support because I’ve had friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I want them to know they are not alone, we do care,” she said.

Mrs Wild has thanked everyone who came out for yesterday’s beach walk and all those held in the past, including all other fund-raising activities such as their Pink Link in town where they distribute pink ribbons in return for donations.

“My message to the population is ‘thank you so much’ because every year we do several things, the beach walk, the Pink Link in town, and everybody gives what they can and it is such a beautiful sight every time. All the projects that we do are for the people of Seychelles, so thank you,” concluded Mrs Wild.

Meanwhile the Soroptimist Club of Victoria said it is yet to its next cancer-related project although it is presently brainstorming to pinpoint the ideal one. The organisation’s last major project for cancer patients was the refurbishment of the oncology ward at the Seychelles Hospital.

Patsy Canaya