The Government of Aruba and Fundacion ABO officially launched the Aruba Pink breast-cancer awareness campaign on October 16, opening a month of activities centered on prevention and early detection.
The launch was marked by a pink-lighting ceremony at the Bestuurskantoor in Oranjestad, where Prime Minister Mike Eman shared a personal story: his wife Doina Eman’s battle with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two companion reports published the same day describe the same ceremony and launch from different angles and are covered here as one event.
A personal message from the Prime Minister
Eman told those gathered that cancer had touched his own family, recalling his wife’s illness during the pandemic years. His remarks set a personal tone for the campaign, underlining that the disease affects families across the island.
Screening in focus
Health Minister Mervin Wyatt-Ras highlighted the island’s screening program during the ceremony, while radiologist dr. Vanessa Williams, a co-founder of the initiative, explained that mammography screening is intended for people aged 45 and older, once every two years. Williams urged the public to take screening invitations seriously, noting that early detection greatly improves outcomes.
The screening effort runs under the BOB banner — now Fundacion ABO, formerly BOB Aruba — which organizes population screening for breast cancer on the island.
Make Aruba Pink
The Make Aruba Pink campaign promotes prevention, timely screening and solidarity with patients and survivors throughout breast-cancer awareness month. The pink illumination of the Bestuurskantoor stands as its most visible symbol.
Background
ArubaNews.ca previously covered the campaign’s preparations in September, and the October 16 launch marks its official start.
What happens next
Activities continue through awareness month, with the campaign encouraging residents — particularly those in the screening age group — to respond to their mammography invitations.
