www.womanthismonth.com October 2021 55 PEOPLE | interview been the creation of the Think Pink Bahrain mobile application. “Through the app, users can find out what they need to know about breast cancer including what to look for,” she explains. The application has also been peer reviewed and has links to the new Decision Aids and National Breast Cancer Guidelines. “The application was developed in close collaboration with Bahrain Polytechnic University and functions in both: English and Arabic,” she says. Achievements and Accolades As of 2020, the organisation has raised over USD3.5 million that has gone towards research, the equipping of highly specialised healthcare facilities in the Kingdom and awareness campaigns. “On a personal level, I believe that the greatest achievement has been our ability to create conversation around the subject that was otherwise not talked about,” says Dr. Sprakel, who has on numerous occasions given lectures on the subject. “It has been rewarding to have people approach me and explain that they detected a lump early and were able to receive treatment, as they were made aware through a lecture, or that they were able to have conversations with their mother or daughter and help them through it,” she says. In 2017, Think Pink held its Longest Ribbon Challenge with the support of Bahrain International Circuit - Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa and his team. “The challenge received a phenomenal response, but one of the most memorable experiences that came out of it for me, specifically, was when I was invited to an individual’s home so their daughter may tie a ribbon for the cause,” she says. “This 10-year-old girl was able to explain to me exactly why she was tying the ribbon and said she wanted to raise awareness for the cause. It made me realise how much of an impact our cause has had - that a girl so young would understand.” The organisation, notably, raised BD499,900 through events, functions, private and corporate donations for the purchase of a digital MRI machine at Salmaniya Medical Complex. “We are still very thankful for the communities trust in us as an NGO, and moreover thrilled that this machine is utilised daily to better support our community and those at higher risk,” she says. Challenges and Strengths The organisation, too, faced challenges during the onslaught of the pandemic last year. “We usually have public events in October to raise funds and awareness but had to avoid gatherings to avoid breaking any regulations and support the Kingdom’s efforts to quell COVID-19,” she says. “We raised under BD10,000, which is the lowest we have ever raised since we were founded, but chose to be audited for the year regardless. This amount contributed to updating our website and contributing to research as there are some common variants which contribute to breast cancer, in the region, which are being researched,” she explains. The organisation has grown over time, granted that over the years some expatriate members may have left when leaving the island. “There is a consistent interest among the community to volunteer for the cause. We receive applications through our website and sometimes have volunteers apply to be a member of the board,” she says, adding that the team also has three men contributing to their efforts. “And of course, we have original founding members and people such as Tahera Al Alawi who volunteered to be part of the original Founding Group and hereafter has remained its number one champion, advocate and Charity's Vice Chair.” For more information on Think Pink and #DinarForDistance, visit www.thinkpinkbahrain.com.
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