News Archive

Valli Batchelor joins forces with Abqaiq organisations to bring a message of peace, perseverance and joy to the Friendly City.

Abqaiq resident and new Masters by research candidate at SPH UWA, Dr Valli Batchelor, joined forces with the Abqaiq Pink Panthers, Abqaiq School and the Abqaiq Women's Group to organse the Pink Ribbon Relaxation Night on October 23.

The evening was was designed to bring the community together to promote a greater understanding of breast cancer, raise awareness of the importance of early intervention, and to entertain and calm the busy minds of those attending. Also attending were representatives from Abqaiq's Medical Centre to highlight the vital importance of early detection and support, and to promote the resources readily available in Abqaiq. Although breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women in America, Dr Katherine Reyes emphasised the positive advances that have been made in recent years, leading to steadily falling death rates. The importance of understanding how to deal with controllable risk factors and regular checkups for both men and women was enmphaised.

At the close of Reyes' speech, Valli articulated the feelings she felt in the audience, saying "It's about the magic of community engagement". In her speech, Valli shared her background in education both in Abqaiq and abroad, noting "Health is beyond physical; it's a spiritual state and an emotional state."

Community members shared their stories and family experiences, then the second part of the evening was spent in a joyful music session encouraging members of the audience to join in, then Valli led 10 minutes of guided relaxation that soothed the audience and gave them time to reflect on the evening's insights. Judiging by the smiles, laughter and joyful movement of the audience, Valli's goal of raising breast cancer awareness and bringing the Abqaiq community together succeeded.

[We thank Sara K Patterson at The Arabian Sun for this story.]

Media references

Fiona Maley (School of Population Health) (+61) 8 6488 1299

David Stacey (UWA Media Manager) (+61 4) 32 637 716