KARACHI: The Friends of Pink Ribbon’s Karachi Chapter on Sunday hosted the sixth annual fundraiser titled Ek Suhaani Shaam, featuring evergreen melodies.

The event was held to support the completion of the Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Hospital in Lahore, said a press release.

The event brought together corporate sponsors, donors, advertisers and entrepreneurs from various sectors, including designers, jewellers, bakers, gyms, salons, and yoga studios.

Proceeds from the evening will be allocated to constructing the hospital’s surgical and oncology wards, essential for enhancing cancer care.

Established in 2004 by social activist Omer Aftab, Pink Ribbon Pakistan is committed to spreading awareness about breast cancer in a country. With the highest rates in Asia, over 90,000 cases are diagnosed annually in the country, and approximately 40,000 women lose their lives to the disease due to late detection and inadequate treatment options.

While early detection can boost survival rates to over 90 per cent, cultural taboos and low literacy levels remain significant barriers to timely diagnosis and care.

The Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Hospital, based in Lahore, is 95pc complete and currently provides free services, including consultations, mammography, shear-wave doppler ultrasound screenings, and BRCA1/BRCA2 genetic testing.

The focus is now on completing the surgical and oncology wards, which will enable the hospital to offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to 40,000 patients annually at no cost.

This hospital is a critical addition to Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure, addressing the pressing need for accessible cancer treatment.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2024