The Valencia Local Council for Women has endorsed a fund-raising campaign for breast cancer awareness called the "pin-a-heart" program.

Breast cancer survivor and organizer of Valencia Local Council for Women Celeste Cata-al is spearheading the campaign. Cata-al said the fund-raising drive is aimed at accumulating funds to help breast cancer victims, and has been conducted for the last three years, after its launching on Feb. 14, 2005.

She said that, aside from this program, their group is also giving out information sheets on the early detection of breast cancer.

Most women are ignoring the importance of breast examination and will only submit to medical consultation when their illness is the later stage. Breast cancer patients in the country has increased, she revealed.

The local council has collected at least P10,000 every year from donors. The group has also installed donation boxes in different offices and at the Philippine National Oil company-Energy Development and Corporation.

The local government unit, through Mayor Rodolfo Gonzales, Jr. of Valencia, is also supporting the program and the council is encouraging the community to donate and help cancer patients.*MA

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