[Lien]

Here in the Netherlands I attended the Pink Ribbon Awards Gala, which was televised yesterday. They did portraits of several women who had breastcancer, and there was an item about a famous choreographer who was diagnosed with BC too. He told the audience how his doctor at first thought men couldn't get BC and how he was proved wrong. I was very pleased that this was broadcast on National TV, and that such a prominent artist was willing to talk about it.

I really liked the show, because all the women who's stories were told were photographed and one of the pictures won the annual Pink Ribbon award. Also, all these women were asked to select a song that had helped them get through the bad times. These songs were performed for them by famous Dutch singers. At the end of the show, the performers handed a bunch of flowers to the women, who were sitting front row.

I thought it was very well done. Usually these big shows focus on celebrities, but this time, the celebrities were paying hommage to breastcancer survivors.

My sister is an actress and singer, and she was invited. We went there together and we got a chance to talk to the press, saying that it's very important for all women to be familiar with their breasts, so they would notice any changes. I also said that breastcancer isn't a pink, frilly, disease; it can be devestating and scary. One of the newspapers quoted my 14 yr old son's words: "Mom, I think it's very important that you go to this show, but I'm so very glad that you don't have IT anymore." This illustrated the fact that cancer doesn't just affect the patients, it affects all their loved ones as well.

Love

Jacqueline