Lions of District 318E launched an ambitious breast cancer awareness campaign that reached over 4,500 people across five revenue districts. The PINKATHON initiative, led by District Governor K. V. Ramachandran and conceptualized by Dr. Avni Skandhan, combined education with immediate action through a three-pronged ABC approach: Awareness through rallies, Breast examination education, and Clinical checkups.
Streets came alive as thirty simultaneous rallies brought together thousands of participants dressed in pink jerseys, marching with educational placards and banners. The energy was infectious as local traditional drummers set the tempo for the processions, their rhythmic beats drawing attention to the message of breast cancer awareness. A key focus of the campaign was educating women about breast self-examination, with volunteers distributing pictographic handouts demonstrating the correct step-by-step procedure.
At each rally site, medical teams from Aster MIMS hospital, Malabar Cancer Care Society, and D. M. Wayanad Institute of Medical Science conducted clinical breast examinations. Of the 1,500 women screened, fifteen were identified with suspicious findings and referred for further evaluation.
This synchronized effort across multiple locations earned recognition from the World Book of Records for the largest coordinated breast cancer awareness campaign.
Through these initiatives, District 318E strengthened community engagement, heightened breast cancer awareness, and promoted screenings. The campaign emphasized that early detection through regular self-examinations and timely medical intervention can significantly improve treatment outcomes and save lives.
The district’s commitment to fighting cancer extended to pediatric care. A donation of Rs.6 lakhs worth of essential equipment to the pediatric cancer ward at IMCH Medical College Hospital, Calicut, is making a difference in young lives. The new High Flow Nasal Cannula machine and two infusion pumps will benefit the young patients at the ward. About 200 patients are admitted at this hospital every month.
