English

Project Title:
Mothers Day Campaign
Be Aware of the Importance of Breast Self Examination.

Description of Project:
On Mothers Day, for the past 20 years, members of Akebono-kai have been distributing messages to the public. The main messages are:
1) the importance of early detection of breast cancer;
2) hints on how to conduct BSE;
3) suggesting to visit specialists if any irregularities found.

From 1984 to 2002, we handed out stickers to passer-bys, but from 2003 we changed to pocket-size tissues. The tissues are more readily accepted. There is a piece of paper inside the package printed with the key messages mentioned above.

Aim of project:
To raise awareness amongst women in general and mothers in particular as to the importance of regularly practicing BSE and detecting irregularities at early stage. The underlying message is that Mothers should not die of breast cancer leaving their children behind.

Steps:
1.When we started in 1984, we thought of something to hand out and came up with the idea of a sticker which could be stuck up as a regular reminder. From 2003, we used pocket-size tissues instead of stickers.
2. Also from 2003, all volunteers wear pink T-shirts and pink caps so that they are more noticeable as part of a working team.
3. In the beginning, there were only a few prefectural branches that participated in the campaign. This year, 33 branches took part with 600 members (volunteers) from all over Japan.

Result:
This year, we handed out 50,000 packages of tissues altogether. The main newspaper in each prefecture covered the event as a news story and a number of radio & TV stations also reported on the event. We believe that the Media coverage hugely contributes to public awareness. In addition, a sense of well-being of the volunteers is strengthened as a result of their contribution to the society. This is also a very important aim of this campaign.