The HEALTH : February 2019 | Page 15

february, 2019 | The Health issue: cancer 15 15 Healthy food makes all the difference The Pink Table Project website is where you can look for healthier alternatives from popular restaurants around town. Beat cancer, eat well The Pink Table Project finding its footing in Malaysia, in support for World Cancer Day 2019 T he World Health Organi- zation (WHO) stated that 40% of all cancers could be prevented through well- ness management. And for most of us, to be well is to eat well. Because we understand that fresh and healthy ingredients can only make us better and healthier. The idea to incorporate good food with the prevention of cancer started back in 2016 during World Cancer Day. It started as an awareness and fund- raising campaign to support a South Africa’s cancer beneficiary in cancer detection. The idea grew further. On World Cancer Day 2017, the Pink Table Project decided to branch into Lebanon, sup- porting its Children’s Cancer Centre (CCCL). They also added a new focus created to inspire sustainable change for prevention, which was called the #IFoundHealthy Campaign. This campaign was simply a request for restaurants to showcase their healthier menu options on World Cancer Day and help us prove that healthier eating is an exciting, decadent & delicious experi- ence, whilst at the same time assisting in raising funds. #IFoundHealthy campaign has now spread its wings to various countries, with notable ones being South Africa, Australia, Canada, Ghana, Singapore, and Malaysia. navigate, whilst creating sustainable excitement & financial support 365 days a year, not just on World Cancer Day. 2019 is the year This year marks the revival of The Pink Table Project. It is now an international online restaurant guide, with the pri- mary focus being the #IFoundHealthy campaign. The campaign which high- lights the healthier options on any restaurant’s menu. The campaign has now spread its wings to various countries, with notable ones being South Africa, Aus- tralia, Canada, Ghana, Singapore, and Malaysia. In celebration of this year’s World Cancer Day, the Pink Table will offi- cially launch in Malaysia, providing Malaysians with ‘The Pink Menu’. The website will be a culmination of various popular eateries in Malaysia – providing insight into each restaurants perspec- tive of healthy and showcasing all of their healthier alternatives. — The Health A halt in the plan I AM AND I WILL Join us on 4 February worldcancerday.org The people involved in Pink Table wanted to excite people into making healthier lifestyle choices. They did succeed with exposure to healthier food options, but had failed to raise the funds anticipated. They had 46 host restaurants in Lebanon & 75 in South Africa, each pro- viding healthier menu choices, whilst facilitating fund-raising. However, the system of cash collection left a lot to be desired. They needed a system that allowed for easy direct donations to their beneficiaries, but could still be monitored the value of. So in 2018, the campaign had to be put on hold. What they needed was a website that could cater to the masses, one that made sense and was easy to EAT WELL: Healthy food and better diet can be a potent preventive measure against cancer, as well as a plethora of other diseases. There is a stark need to address the psychology of cancer awareness and prevention by delivering a message that ensures sustainable impact. To achieve this, we need to educate with experiences of the senses that delivers excitement and desire for more. Education is impactful if driven by sensory experiences. If we can tap into this concept, we will see better results in lifestyle management as people will want to change, not feel they have to change. The success of this message can affect the change that may result in 5 to 9 million cancer cases from ever even existing, and potentially saving 3 to 5 million lives each year, just by inspiring people to make healthy lifestyle choices by providing exciting educational experiences. Prevention includes not only Not Smoking, Reduced Alcohol Consumption, and Increased Exercise, but also a Healthy and Balanced Diet. Inspiring healthy lifestyle and dietary choices by making healthy exciting, decadent & delicious! We can’t focus on all lifestyle management choices, but we can certainly start with diet! I am and I will T his year’s World Cancer Day focuses on the individual and the larger group of people to stand against the tyranny of cancer World Cancer Day was born on February 4, 2000 at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris. The Paris Charter aims to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness and mobilise the global community to make progress against cancer, and includes the adoption of World Cancer Day. The idea was given life through partnerships, cooperation, and understanding among world leaders and health organisations around the world, and has since become the main driving force against cancer for various countries. The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day encourages us to be more proactive in early detection, treatment, and de-stigmatisation of cancer. The campaign will be carried out for 3 years, focusing on individuals as well as corporations to step up and lend a hand against cancer. This year will be the year to empower the call-to-action, urging for personal commitment and representing the power of individual action taken now to impact the future.