Pinktober Walk cancelled; virtual activities planned

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) annual Pinktober awareness drive which includes a 5k/10k walk/run has been cancelled as a result of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Diana Gittens, the company’s Pinktober Coordinator told Village Voice Guyana.

“In observance of the protocols required to flatten the curve of the COVID 19 pandemic in Guyana, our much anticipated and patronized annual walk is not on the calendar this year as we do our part to support physical distancing. Our walk historically attracts a mass gathering which is simply not appropriate this year,” Gittens said.

The Pinktober Coordinator said that there are however many ways to support the cause including spreading awareness and showing support by participating in the company’s Tik Tok Challenge, Wear It Pink Fridays and honoring cancer warriors.

GTT’s Pinktober calendar of activities seeks to raise funds for several cancer-related organisations including the Guyana Cancer Foundation.

Similarly, President and founder of the Guyana Cancer Foundation, Bibi Hassan, said while many persons look forward to the annual walk, this year, in the interest of public health and safety, the walk cannot be held.

“Due to social distancing, we cannot keep our usually Pinktober walk. Two other events were cancelled too, because of Covid-19, Candle Light Vigil and Church Service. No Bra Day was celebrated be on October 13, in recognition of all the women who have lost their breasts to cancer and Wear It Pink Friday on October 16, will be observed,” Hassan said during an interview with the Village Voice Guyana.

She said that National Mammography Day is also observed on October 16 while urging both adult women and men to get screened early as possible. “I urge women between the ages of 40 and over to do a Mammogram and Sonogram and even men, for early detection. It is just a simple test to save their lives… early detection definitely helps save lives”, she said.

The Cancer Foundation is currently working to have a virtual discussion among Hassan, doctors and nurses on Breast Cancer later this month via its Facebook page. A date is yet to be announced.

The walk/run which happens on October 26 annually at Durban Park, then move along Vlissengen Road to the seawall and back, is part of the Guyana Telephone Telegraph Company’s (GTTs) Pinktober calendar of activities, seeking to raise funds for several cancer-related organisations including the Guyana Cancer Foundation. This event, since the collaboration with GTT and Guyana Cancer Foundation, was first held in 2017 on Middle Street, Georgetown.

Meanwhile, persons can have free breast examinations done until October 30 at the Caribbean Surgery Inc. Interested persons are asked to call 227-2030 for appointments.