WFWP Paraguay raises awareness about breast cancer through the campaign "Towards Pink October

Written by: Roswitha Dueck de Giuliano

During the months of August, September and October, WFWP Paraguay organized three events in order to raise awareness about breast cancer.

On August 31, WFWP Paraguay, organized conferences on "Prevention of breast cancer," which were held in the auditorium of the Polytechnic and Artistic University of Paraguay (UPAP University) in the city of Ñemby. The president of the Municipal Board, representatives of the Municipal Cabinet of the district hospital and the national police, along with the Academic Director of UPAP University were present.

Mrs. Karem Figari, Director of the WFWP chapter in Luque, Paraguay, gave a brief introduction on the mission and founding of WFWP. The event featured several talks. Dr. Clementina Vargas and Dr. Carmen Lorena Díaz, psychologists, spoke on the theme "Awareness and Emotional Well-being, the emotional conflicts behind breast cancer." Dr. Noelia Elizabeth Rojas, gynecologist, presented on the theme "Prevention and early detection of breast cancer.” They addressed issues of great importance. Given the high rates of diagnosed breast cancer cases in women, prevention and detection have a leading role in the daily care of every woman. As the psychologists explained, the daily care both physically and mentally that is adopted in one’s lifestyle is directly related to prevention of breast cancer. The Dr. Rojas emphasized that the way in which we think and solve daily problems has a great impact on our general well-being.

On September 24, WFWP held the second annual conference commemorating Pink October.
The event began with an introductory video of WFWP. Dr. Tatiana Arantes, M.D., and Dr. Norma Vargas, psychologist, spoke about comprehensive women's health. The main focus was on physiological and emotional prevention methods. The singer-songwriter Margarita Franco and the singer Romina Pettengill embellished the meeting with beautiful songs on women. About 50 people participated and all expressed great interest in this type of meeting.

On Saturday, October 15, a warm and pleasant day, the Peace Road walk was held on the Asunción waterfront under the theme “Pink October.” WFWP Paraguay partnered with Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ambassadors for Peace and the Youth and Students for Peace to organize and spread word about this event.

The walk was accompanied by a select group and personalities including Mrs. Emilia Franco, the former first lady and senator of the Paraguay, Mrs. Carolina Fernández, candidate for National Deputy for the province of Central, and Mrs. María Eva Pérez, a professor who was an adviser to several presidents of the nation.

Mr. Evaristo Fernández, President of UPF Paraguay, opened the event by highlighting the importance of the day and the global impact achieved by the participation of the group present. He emphasized the point that, “world peace begins in each one of us."

Then Mrs. Roswitha Dueck de Giuliano, International Vice President for WFWP Latin America and President of WFWP Paraguay, spoke. She discussed the history and meaning of “Pink October, how it“started in the 90s, when breast cancer survivors ran the marathon in Dallas, United States, organized by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. It was at this time that the pink ribbon was introduced, which has remained as a symbol of that day.

Mrs. Emilia Franco, former first lady of Paraguay, then spoke about the care and prevention of breast cancer and thanked everyone for their presence. She continued that with God's guidance we can achieve the goals of peace starting with our families. She concluded by asking for prayer for the unification of the Koreas.

Before the start of the walk, Professor Gustavo Giuliano, Director of Peace Road Paraguay, explained in more detail the objectives of the Peace Road and gave instructions on how the walk would be carried out. He said, "the fundamental axis of achieving world peace is in the union of man and woman in marriage, forming healthy, strong and happy families." Furthermore, he expressed that, "the unification of the Koreas represented by the left and right sides can only be achieved with God at the center." The walk then took place within a park of the Costanera de Asunción following a certain path. The participants enthusiastically set out to achieve the goal.

At the end of the walk, Mrs. Carolina Fernández recounted her experience of overcoming breast cancer, extolling the importance of family support. Next, Mrs. María Eva Pérez gave an account of her sister’s battle with cancer and encouraged those present to check themselves periodically as cancer can definitely be overcome.

To conclude the event, the group sang the “Unity” song and performed three cheers of victory.