Alola Foundation"Strong Women Strong Nation"
Alola Foundation
MESSAGE FOUNDER OF HALIKU, MS. KIRSTY SWORD GUSMÃO.
"Women in Timor-Leste have a death risk 8 times greater than women in Australia after being diagnosed with cancer. This is not only due to lack of choice for care and access to health facilities in Timor-Leste, but also lack of education about the importance of early detection and intervention fast medical. I am proud of the work that HALIKU runs for a cancer awareness program for women through the Alola Foundation, "
“Your Life Is Only Worthy If You Can Give A Hand To Others In Need...Haliku Is A Hope For Many Women !!!”
At the Timor Port – Liquica office, after hearing an introduction from the Director of Alola, the ‘Pink October’ celebration continued with a presentation session about breast cancer by Doctor Raimundo dos Santos, as general surgeon at the Guido Valadares National Hospital. In his presentation, Doctor Raimundo gave a comprehensive explanation about breast cancer, the process of its formation and spread, early prevention methods, treatment, prevention methods and the importance of regular control with routine examinations.
As a cancer that is commonly found in women, breast cancer is defined as the uncontrolled development of breast cells including their size and quantity which arise as a result of genetic changes. General Surgeon at Dili’s National Hospital revealed that everyone, including men, is at risk of breast cancer and women have the highest risk of 99%.
“The risk factors for men developing breast cancer are old age, conditions related to the balance between estrogen and androgen, as well as other factors such as infertility, obesity and so on,” said Doctor Raimundo dos Santos, Surgeon at Dili’s National Hospital.
After the presentation session, one of the breast cancer survivors, Sister Angelita Gomes FMA, gave her testimony about her experience of struggling with breast cancer to be able to live a normal life.
In this activity, the General Manager of Timor Port, Mr. Laurent Palayer, expressed deep appreciation to the HALIKU team, KNKS-TL for being able together with the Timor Port community to celebrate ‘Pink October’ in Timor Bay-Liquica. As the first private institution in Timor-Leste, Timor-Port’s role is very important, not only as a door for import-export activities but also as a bridge for commercial activity between Timor-Leste and other friendly countries, especially China, Australia and Asia-Pacific. Through this ‘Pink October’ celebration, Timor Port once again expressed its commitment to various initiatives that encourage the community to play an active role in fighting breast cancer and encourage actions that campaign for breast cancer prevention.
“As the Port of Timor Community, together, let’s support the fight against breast cancer to bring positive change,” said General Manager of the Port of Timor, Mr. Laurent Palayer.
On the same day, the HALIKU team also took the time to share the joy of ‘Pink October’ with the ANZ Timor-Leste community. On this occasion, HALIKU not only shared information about the dangers of breast cancer but also presented the main activities that had been carried out to support women suffering from cancer.
In a friendly environment, the ANZ Timor-Leste family listens and discusses cancer in women and how to prevent it. facilitated by Mrs. Maria Guterres, Executive Director of Alola.
With staff dedicated to assisting local and international business clients, ANZ Timor-Leste has been an investment-led commercial bank since 2001 providing services and expertise in international transactions, trade and e-banking services to the Timorese community.
Since it was founded in March 2014, HALIKU as an education and support program for women suffering from cancer in Timor-Leste has been committed to increasing women’s knowledge about prevention, early detection and various information about treatment. Apart from this, HALIKU also provides material and spiritual support to women suffering from cancer.
HALIKU is a member of the Timor-Leste National Breast Cancer Commission and also a member of the South East Asia Breast Cancer and International Union for Cancer Control.
“We have established good collaboration with the Timor-Leste National Breast Cancer Commission team based at the National Hospital to facilitate examinations for the cancer patients we refer, cutting through the long-term bureaucratic system that sometimes causes patients to lose their enthusiasm,” said Mrs. Maria Guterres, Director Alola Foundation Executive.
Since last year, HALIKU-Alola began collaborating with DMC to support histopathology and mammography diagnostic examinations for underprivileged patients. The Executive Director of the Alola Foundation also informed that starting this October, Alola has started construction of a Women’s Cancer Care Center located at the Alola Main Office, Mascarinhas, Dili.
“Patients who come from remote areas and have no relatives in Dili during the treatment process can stay at this center with the help of nurses,” said Mrs. Maria Guterres.
In 2014-2023, HALIKU has referred more than 225 patients to the Guido Valadares National Hospital.
HALIKU’s objective is to increase women’s understanding on prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer. HALIKU educates people on symptoms of cancer and contributing factors, promotes importance of regular breast self-examinations and attending health facilities as soon as symptoms of cancer are identified. HALIKU also targets media for raising awareness campaigns through community radio and newsletters, and distribution of brochures and pamphlets.
The HALIKU team provided direct support to women for referrals to HNGV, support for biopsy, and provide wig, mastectomy bra, arm sleeve, as well as support for transport and purchase prescribed medicine when the medicine is out of stock. Thus from 2015 till 2023, HALIKU had referred more than 225 patients to HNGV including supported patients for transport, biopsy and rovided with mastectomy bra and breast prosthesis including purchase prescribed medicines.
HALIKU uses various methods to campaign about the importance of self-examination as an effort to detect cancer early, starting from mini workshops, leaflet distribution, conferences, radio – tv talk shows, exhibitions, community discussions and many others. This is done to raise awareness in all levels of society starting from students, housewives, government officials, police and armed forces, young activists, including religious leaders both at local and national levels.
Training for health workers: In September 2019, Alola’s HALIKU organised four days of training for 50 (F:37 and M:13) health workers (midwives, Nurses and general practitioner) from HNGV, Community Health Centres and private health clinics in Dili which took place at HNGV training room. This activity was divided into three phases – Wound Management, Clinical Breast Examination and Being Breast Aware. This activity was facilitated by six trainers from Australia and Malaysia representing McGrath Foundation Australia and Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia with financing from ABC Global Alliance.
Training for Breast Cancer survivors and HALIKU Volunteers: Subsequent to the health worker’s training at HNGV, the team of Breast Cancer Welfare Asociation Malaysia continue to hold a two days training on “Psychosocial Support to Breast Cancer Patients” for breast cancer survivors and HALIKU volunteers at Fundasaun Alola training room. Total 23 (all women) participants attended the training and the training was focused on increasing participants knowledge on breast cancer and preventions including how to offering a psychosocial support to breast cancer patients through counseling at home and at health facility.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is a worldwide annual health campaign taking place in October that highlight the importance of breast awareness, educate people about the importance of early screening, test and research. This campaign organized by major breast cancer charities and involving thousands of organisations starts on October 1 and ends on October 31 every year.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is as much about raising funds for breast cancer research and support, as it is about raising awareness. The supporters will be donning their pink ribbons as a show of support for ongoing research for a cure.
HALIKU fundraising: Mr. Xanana Gusmao’s 73rd birthday was celebrated in Dili in June 20th 2019 at El Legendario and was also a fundraising event for HALIKU. Alola’s MCH team, with support from Mr. Xanana Gusmao, organized an auction and invited companies and the private sector to participate. The auction was led directly by His Excellency Mr. Xanana raised funds of USD 128.338.30 to support HALIKU activities and to continue its mission in raising awareness and support vulnerable patients of women’s cancer in the country.
