A series of activities is being held this month (October) to raise awareness in Bahrain about breast cancer and encourage women to get regular checks.

Think Pink Bahrain hopes to raise BD50,000 ($131,829) in the next few weeks that will be added to funds for a state-of-the-art MRI machine, which costs more than BD490,000 and is due to be delivered and installed at Salmaniya Medical Complex in February next year, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The organisation's activities will kick off today (October 3) with a Harley-Davidson bike ride, which will start at 8.15am from its showroom in Budaiya to the Royal Golf Club, passing by RCSI Bahrain and the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa.

On October 16, a Golf tournament will be held at the Royal Golf Club starting from 8.30am. Tickets will cost between BD20 and BD45 and call 38062180 for more information.

The following day, on October 17, a gala dinner will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa at 7.30pm. Tickets will cost BD50 and call 39076717 for reservations.

Think Pink Bahrain founder Julie Sprakel said Bahraini and foreign women will soon be able to get checked for breast cancer for free using the MRI machine.

"The machine will be the first of its kind in Bahrain and the second in the region," she told the GDN.

"We made the first instalment of over BD250,000 in July, but we still need another BD50,000 to complete the payment.

"When it's set up, it will be free for both Bahrainis and expats.

"We're happy to be working with the Health Ministry but more than happy to be the catalyst to get this machine here.

"This really is a community machine, it was bought by the community for the community."

Sprakel, who is a trained intensive care nurse, said she started the campaign when she could not find breast cancer information in Bahrain.

"I was personally touched by breast cancer and when I came to Bahrain I didn't know where to find information," she said.

"If as an intensive care nurse I couldn't figure it out, how did other people?

"It was originally meant to be a one-off event, but forming the charity changed my path completely.

"I now work at RCSI Bahrain and head the community engagement office.

"I've just finished my master's and my thesis was on breast cancer among Arab population - evidence-based research is very important for the region."

She added that women in Bahrain 10 to 15 years younger than their Western counterparts were being diagnosed with the life-threatening disease.

"We need more research to find out why," she said.

"Western guidelines aren't best practised here.

"Experts in the GCC and Bahrain need to come together and talk to understand what's taking place."

The charitable organisation has also sent nine Bahraini health professionals overseas to be trained in a lymphedema course, which was previously unavailable in Bahrain.

"I never imagined that the charity would take off like this," said Ms Sprakel.

"Being an expat I wanted to lay a foundation. We're all here for a short time and I wanted to lay something concrete for future generations to continue with and leave something behind.

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"It just so happens that I'm now married to a Bahraini and Bahrain is my home."

She stressed that the charity was not affiliated with any groups overseas, meaning the money raised will stay in Bahrain.

"It is not governed by anyone else," she said.

"We are registered with the Social Development Ministry and the Health Ministry.

"We're getting into more local discourse, lectures for religious people and those from all backgrounds."

Dozens of other fundraisers for breast cancer awareness are being held across Bahrain throughout the month by local groups and companies. - TradeArabia News Service