CMZ’s B.R.A. (Bra to Raise Awareness) Campaign 2014

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in the Philippines with reports showing that  the country has the highest incidence rate in Asia. Unfortunately, survival rate in the Philippines is below 40% compared to the high survival rates of 80 to 98% in developed countries. This is attributed to better disease awareness and the practice of regular screening that helps detect the disease at an earlier, thereby, more curable stage.

Thus, Ciudad Medical Zamboanga created the CMZ Breast Wellness Center (CMZ BWC) in 2012 as its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility program under the helm of Breast Advocate, Dr. Marissa Lim. The CMZ Breast Wellness Center is now launching the B.R.A. Project which stands for Bra to Raise Awareness in time for the World Cancer Day this February 4, 2014 and its culmination will be on March 20, 2014, which is the second anniversary of CMZ BWC as well as within the International Women’s Month.

Phase 1 of the B.R.A. Project is the B.R.A. Drop Box Decorating Contest participated in by  the CMZ employees and was started last January 17, which is within the National Cancer Consciousness Week. The decorated B.R.A. drop boxes will be placed in strategic places within CMZ and with partner institutions and prepared for Phase 2.

Phase 2 is the launching of the Bra Collection Contest where CMZ is collecting old and used bras, within the institution and in partnership with the Zamboanga community from February 4 to March 2, 2014. 

The collected used bras will be prepared for Phase 3 of the B.R.A. project which will be the Installation Art for Breast Cancer Awareness to be unveiled on March 20, 2014. Lead artist for this innovative artwork is international artist, Rameer Tawasil who hails from Sulu.

Placing of the B.R.A. Collection boxes within Ciudad Medical Zamboanga and in designated areas within Zamboanga City is intended to increase Breast Cancer Awareness in the following ways:

1) Looking at the pink-colored B.R.A. boxes will attract the observers to awareness.

2) Reading the messages of the B.R.A. Boxes will create awareness.

3) Picking flyers/leaflets from the box will add to their knowledge and awareness.

4) Contributing brassieres into the box will further increase involvement.

5) More women submitting for screening.

6) More organizations requesting for lectures on Breast Cancer Awareness. Call Zeny/Beth at 992-7330 loc 1278 for scheduling.

7)   Final phase of Installation Art will increase Breast Cancer Awareness for the community

As of this day, our partner institutions include the City Government through the City Hall, Sangguniang Panglungsod ng Zamboanga, the City Health Office, ZCWD; government offices such as DOH RIX, PhilHealth, SSS, Office of the Civil Registrar; Malls such as Mindpro Citimall, Budgetwise, Shopper’s Group; Schools such as WMSU, Nuevo Zamboanga Colleges; Banks such as PNB and BDO; private groups such as KCCDFI and Lantaka Hotel. The Camera Club of Zamboanga and the Zamboanga Bloggers are also partners for this Advocacy project.

Our reminder to everyone is : 

LOVE YOUR BREASTS…HAVE THEM CHECKED!

CMZ hopes to have the whole community as a partner in saving lives as we embark on this BRA to RAISE AWARENESS Project of the CMZ Breast Wellness Center. 

The Awareness starts with us!