11 November 2008
MUSCAT -- More than a thousand men, women and children joined the sixth Annual National Association for Cancer Awareness Walk and the PDO Annual Wellness Walk yesterday to raise awareness for cancer and to promote wellness. This annual event was held under the auspices of Her Highness Dr Muna bint Fahd Al Said, patron of NACA. Her Highness Sayyida Aliya bint Thuwaini Al Said was also present on the occasion.
The participants walked a four kilometre stretch starting from the front side of the Ministry of Housing in Al Khuwair to the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
The walkathon is held annually as NACA's national and global Stand Up to Cancer campaign and PDO's Annual Wellness Walk that is held to encourage health awareness in society. Before the walkathon started participants observed a minute's silence in remembrance of their loved ones who succumbed to cancer.
A variety of activities were also part of the event. Students from various schools participated in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Yuthar Al Rawahy, chairperson of NACA, said: "NACA has always strived to advocate early diagnosis of cancer through repeated examination leading to early prognosis and a higher probability of complete cure. Through this walkathon we once again advocate awareness and good health."
John Malcolm, managing director of PDO, also spoke on the importance of keeping good health.
Most of those who walked wore T-shirts with "stand up for cancer" message. While some said they had walked for the cause, others said they did it to honour and to remember those who had lost their life to cancer. Some walked for many names; some just walked for the cure.
Barka S. Al Bakry, the vice-president of the Al Noor Association for the Blind, said: "The walk is important from the context of raising awareness and promoting good health."
Salma Al Hashmi, director of Envent, said: "I feel morally responsible to lend a hand in raising awareness. We are encouraged by the turnout at the event today."
MUSCAT -- More than a thousand men, women and children joined the sixth Annual National Association for Cancer Awareness Walk and the PDO Annual Wellness Walk yesterday to raise awareness for cancer and to promote wellness. This annual event was held under the auspices of Her Highness Dr Muna bint Fahd Al Said, patron of NACA. Her Highness Sayyida Aliya bint Thuwaini Al Said was also present on the occasion.
The participants walked a four kilometre stretch starting from the front side of the Ministry of Housing in Al Khuwair to the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
The walkathon is held annually as NACA's national and global Stand Up to Cancer campaign and PDO's Annual Wellness Walk that is held to encourage health awareness in society. Before the walkathon started participants observed a minute's silence in remembrance of their loved ones who succumbed to cancer.
A variety of activities were also part of the event. Students from various schools participated in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Yuthar Al Rawahy, chairperson of NACA, said: "NACA has always strived to advocate early diagnosis of cancer through repeated examination leading to early prognosis and a higher probability of complete cure. Through this walkathon we once again advocate awareness and good health."
John Malcolm, managing director of PDO, also spoke on the importance of keeping good health.
Most of those who walked wore T-shirts with "stand up for cancer" message. While some said they had walked for the cause, others said they did it to honour and to remember those who had lost their life to cancer. Some walked for many names; some just walked for the cure.
Barka S. Al Bakry, the vice-president of the Al Noor Association for the Blind, said: "The walk is important from the context of raising awareness and promoting good health."
Salma Al Hashmi, director of Envent, said: "I feel morally responsible to lend a hand in raising awareness. We are encouraged by the turnout at the event today."
By Mrudu Naik
© Times of Oman 2008
