Think Pink Lux committee members show off the booklet. Pictured from left: Nicolette Sutherland, Carrie Cannon, Helen Cope, Nicola Vickers, Margot Parra and Freda Deed Delano

Think Pink Lux committee members show off the booklet. Pictured from left: Nicolette Sutherland, Carrie Cannon, Helen Cope, Nicola Vickers, Margot Parra and Freda Deed Delano

Altogether, 1,000 copies of the free booklet have been printed, funded through money raised by the support, awareness and fundraising group Think Pink Lux.

“We didn’t have any of the original booklets left and it was time to redo it,” said Think Pink Lux committee member Margot Parra.

“The care [offered in Luxembourg] stays the same. There is a bit more [in the new booklet] in terms of support things like mindfulness, and yoga, which are much more highlighted,” group president Carrie Cannon explained.

The book, co-written by Ros Browne and Cannon, was first published in January 2013. It contains information on what steps to take following a diagnosis, what kind of support is available and also includes testimonials from women in Luxembourg who have gone through cancer treatment.

“Through the testimonials and sharing experience, people realise someone else has been through this. Sometimes it’s a lifeline,” Parra added, explaining that for a number of reasons, the steps after receiving a cancer diagnosis can be particularly stressful for people living away from their native homes.

Making a difference in Luxembourg

Think Pink Lux was founded in 2009 by a group of friends to provide information and support in English to people being treated for cancers and their entourage.

In addition to the booklet, it organises support groups, raises awareness by participating in the ING night marathon and relais pour la vie as well organising health talks for staff days at companies.

Photo: Think Pink Lux. Think Pink Lux runners in the 2017 ING Night Marathon

“I definitely think we’re making a difference. People write to us asking for information. We seem to get a lot,” said Cannon.

Fundraising also plays an important role and over the past eight years, the group has helped raise €160,000 for research and education projects through the Marian Aldred award. The award was established in 2012 following the death of one of the committee’s founding members, Marian Aldred, to ovarian cancer.

Starting in January 2018, through the award ThinkPinkLux will sponsor three Master’s students over three years at the Luxembourg Institute of Health for research into stopping the metastatic process. Metastasis is when cancer cells break away from where they first formed and travel through the blood or lymph system to form new tumors in other parts of the body.

A number of external groups have also organised fundraisers for the charity, including students at the ISL and the recent naked run/pub crawl in the capital. And there are plenty of fundraising events coming up. Cricket fans can do their bit by entering the six-a-side “cricket in pink” day organised by the Optimists on 26 August. Meanwhile, tickets will shortly go on sale for the ThinkPinkLux ladies night on 20 October at In Vivo (Factory 4).

Get a copy of the guide

The “Think Pink Guide” is available from most doctors’ surgeries, the Centre Hospitalier and maternity ward. It is available on request to individuals by emailing [email protected]. The booklet is free but donations are welcome.

Find out more by visiting thinkpinklux.com or follow the group on Facebook.