Bravehearts and cyclists of the upcoming May 28, 2011 “Tour of Hope 2011” Manila-Laoag rally will cover 500 kilometers in 5 days to help raise funds for cervical cancer prevention vaccination drives and seminars, and to save 500 women.
Abbygale Arenas-de Leon, Bravehearts president explains:
What makes this year’s Tour of Hope different is that we are going to vaccinate a total of 500 women during the tour.
We wanted the tour to be more than just a way to spread awareness about cervical cancer prevention. We hope this will inspire more women to take action against this deadly but preventable disease.
About Bravehearts
A non profit organization initially led by the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP) for the Cancer Institute Foundation (CIF), Bravehearts is dedicated to raising awareness on cervical cancer prevention. Bravehearts is currently supported by a growing number of women, including prominent personalities such as Abbygale Arenas-de Leon, who is the current president of the organization, Senator Loren Legarda, Pia Magalona, Ellen Tordesillas, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Jeena Lopez, Maimai Davao, Joyette Jopson and Suzi Entrata.
The organization has held successful seminars and projects with the help of its partner organizations and companies. One of its more prominent events is the biking event, The Tour of Hope (TTOH). The tour was introduced in the Philippines in 2008 through the collaboration of GlaxoSmithKline Philippines and the UP Cancer Institute Foundation’s Cervical Cancer Prevention (CECAP) network program in strategic partnership with Team David’s Salon, the first all woman sports team in the country. Since then, the Tour of Hope has become the largest anti-cervical cancer biking tour in the Philippines and has attracted varied supporters thru the years – both from public and private sectors.
TTOH has become Bravehearts’ annual fund raising event and an opportunity to conduct lectures for cervical cancer prevention programs in the different municipalities/cities the tour passes. Just last year, TTOH was able to raise Php750, 000, and the fund was donated to CECAP where more than 200 cervical cancer vaccination was conducted for free to community health workers in selected provinces across the Philippines.
Bravehearts is also a proud partner of the following public and private
organizations Cervical Cancer Prevention Network of the Philippines (CECAP), The Cancer Institute Foundation Inc. (CIF), GlaxoSmithKline, David’s Salon, The 3000 Club of the Philippines, Francis Magalona Clothing Company (FMCC), Maldita, Loalde, Fitflops, Personi fi Image Studio, Islands Souvenirs, Belle De Jour (BDJ), Bisaya Ispesyal, Quota International, Medical Observer, Josiah’s Catering and GeiserMaclang.
For The Tour of Hope 2011 – 500: Going the Xtra Mile Against Cervical Cancer, Bravehearts worked with the following companies: Philippine Seven Corporation (7 Eleven), Mcdonald’s, Columbia, Primer Group of Companies, Sweet Bella, TriNoma Mall, Gatorade, Pioneer Insurance and EON Stakeholder Relations Firm.
Fast Facts About Cervical Cancer
- Cervical cancer is the second most common female cancer worldwide, with half a million new cases and 250,000 deaths reported each year. Over 80% of cases occur in developing countries including the Philippines.
- In the Philippines, more than 7,000 new cases of cervical cancer are being reported annually (Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates 2005).
- Every day, 12 Filipinas die of cervical cancer. It’s ranked as the second most common female cancer afflicting Filipino women (Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates 2005).
- The Human papillomavirus or HPV, is the cause of cervical cancer. It is a common virus that is easily transmitted.
- 8 out of 10 women will have HPV in their lifetime, the virus that causes cervical cancer.
- More than half of the women with cervical cancer will die within 5 years after diagnosis. The Philippines has one of the lowest 5 year survival rates in the world. (Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates 2005).
- Early Cervical Cancer produces no signs or symptoms (Ault K, 2006).
- All women are at risk. All women regardless of age, lifestyle or economic status are at risk of cervical cancer (Mc Intosh N, 2010).
- Cervical Cancer Vaccination alongside regular screening is a woman’s best defense cervical cancer.
The Cancer Institute Foundation (CIF) and the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP)
Founded in 2001, the CIF is a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Manila, Philippines which supports the Cancer Institute (CI) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and its accredited cancer management network institutions with clinical, research, advocacy and financial assistance for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
This commitment springs from the Foundation’s view that the promotion of health and welfare is a responsibility not of just one but all: that the government, individuals or groups, given a vehicle like the foundation, they will generously share their time, efforts and resources with their fellowmen who are ill but have little means to get well.
The Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP) under the CIF is an alliance of organizations from the private and public sector, including health professionals and other concerned non-government agencies that are all committed in eliminating cervical
cancer among Filipino women.
For the itinerary of The Tour Of Hope 2011, please check out the blog post of Jo Bonsol.
