‘Screen For Life’, Qatar’s National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening programme, joined forces with Skydive Qatar in an innovative way to raise awareness of the programme and its goals during the month-long Bowel Cancer Awareness campaign.
Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Khalifa al-Ahmad al-Thani, Skydive Qatar chairman, jumped from a helicopter with a huge banner carrying the bowel cancer awareness tagline ‘Don’t wait for symptoms’, and the telephone number 8001112 of the dedicated ‘Screen For Life’ hotline.
The thrilling sight of a skydiver jumping with the message was an extension of the ‘Screen For Life’ mission throughout March to remind people, men and women aged 50-74, that because bowel cancer can be a non-symptomatic illness it is vital not to wait until it is too late and to undergo screening as a precautionary measure.
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and ‘Screen For Life’ officials were in attendance for the eye-catching event, including Dr Mariam al-Emadi, Al Wakra Health Centre manager.
“Screen For Life has made significant strides in raising cancer awareness levels across Qatar, we consistently seek out new and innovative ways of getting our strong messages out to as wide an audience as possible. This thrilling exercise was an exceptional way for us to capture even more attention and engage people in the need to take action,” said Dr Sheikha Abu Shaikha, cancer programme manager at PHCC.
“Screen For Life is a great initiative that is going to great lengths to make a difference to the health and well-being of the people of Qatar. Skydiving is an extreme activity that always draws in the crowds so we thought this was an accessible and enthralling way for our organisation to demonstrate our support and commitment to this cause,” Sheikh Abdulaziz added.
The skydive event was part of a widespread awareness campaign for Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign that started in March, which included in-mall activation booths and social media messaging.
Skydiving used to raise bowel cancer awareness
