A New Attitude Towards Cancer Across Lebanon
During the month of October, breast cancer awareness campaigns strongly focus on early detection while minimal awareness is raised about what must be done post-diagnosis or how to reduce the risk of getting cancer.
Building on the personal experience of Eventa founder Nina Abi Fadel with breast cancer and its initiative, “YOU ARE STRONGER”, a Health World Café event and 4 other awareness sessions took place in 4 different casas across Lebanon during the period of October 15 – 30. This was organized as part of the Eventa-managed full-fledged health and wellness program, Soha WellNess, co-founded with partner Allyson Croft.
Stemming from the belief that one should replace fears with knowledgeable and well-informed choices that lead to better health, the campaign highlighted different holistic options and promoted complementary therapies that can help reduce the side effects of mainstream cancer treatment and better manage cancer recurrence.
The campaign kicked off at the Ministry of Health’s National Awareness Event, “A walk to remember”, at the Horsh Beirut on October 12-14 and was followed by a roadshow touring Zahle, Tyre, Chouf and Tripoli with active community organizations as hosting partners.
As part of a key message focused on complementary therapies for breast cancer, over 750 attendees interacted, received a free comprehensive 80-page Arabic and English language booklet and were asked to share their learnings with breast cancer patients in their communities.
The final event of the campaign ended with a Health World Café event hosted by Le Gray hotel in Beirut. The event opened with Soha WellNess co-founder Allyson Croft welcoming the 100+ attendees and table hosts, introducing the mission of Soha WellNess, and explaining the World Café concept. This was followed by a presentation by Nina Abi Fadel, discussing her personal breast cancer journey and experience with complementary therapies which, as founder and managing director of Eventa, led her to create the “YOU ARE STRONGER” initiative and partner on the Soha WellNess program.
Ten topics, all related to breast cancer, complementary therapies, and holistic health, were covered during dynamic small group discussions at different tables, each with an expert table host and a central question.
Oncologist Dr. Fadi el Karak gave the keynote speech on the importance of an early diagnosis and the patient playing an active role in her treatment. Table hosts, health professionals and experts: Dr. Edmond Ibrahim (acupuncture, TCM), Antoinette Zalzal (naturopathy), Sarar Maalouf (responsible me), Dalal Harb (mind-body practices), Dr. Nicole BouKhalil (aromatherapy), Maguy Lichaa (wellness wheel), Salma Diab (biological clock), Zeina Darwich (mind-heart techniques), Maria Farah, (young and at risk) facilitated the discussion at each table and shared the key findings of all groups upon completion of the full rotation.
Adult participants of all ages, including high-level representatives of several women’s organizations and medical professionals, found the level of the discussions and the information shared to be of great value and appreciated the common interest in an integrative approach to breast cancer treatment.
One 2-year cancer survivor noted: “I wish you were around to advise me two years ago as it would have positively impacted my mindset and helped me reduce the side effects I suffered during my treatment. It is wonderful to see these choices available in Lebanon.”
A recently diagnosed 26-year old woman complimented the approach: “I feel so empowered and convinced that complementary therapies can help me throughout my treatment but also to reduce the chance of my cancer coming back as I get older.”
Dalal, who recently lost her mother to breast cancer, said: “I am so pleased to see the focus that is being placed on the need to treat breast cancer patients on all levels, with attention paid to the rest of a woman’s body and her emotional health, and with a personal touch instead of only a focus on treating the disease.”
The organizers hope that awareness on complementary therapies will spread via a rippling effect and will make the practical guide to complementary therapies available as a free download on the SohaWellNess.com website.
It is worth noting that all activities were offered free of charge thanks to the support of prominent sponsors and health partners.
EVENTA was founded in 2003 by Nina Abi Fadel as a cause-related events management company. Since its inception, EVENTA has grown to include fundraising strategy and professional business development services for nonprofit organizations. In addition to delivering clients’ events and projects, EVENTA also creates social impact initiatives of its own in partnership with renowned organizations. www.eventaonline.com
“You are Stronger-انت الاقوى” was created as an EVENTA CSR initiative to be an exchange platform to share positive experiences and information about breast cancer complementary therapies. Facebook @enteela2wa
Soha WellNess is designed to give practical information, techniques, tools, and solutions, all tailored to the Arab world, to help create a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being. Launched by Allyson Croft and Nina Abi Fadel, the Soha WellNess program is managed by Eventa. www.sohawellness.com