Lebanese Embassy Organizes Awareness Event

As part of its efforts to enhance health awareness and support women’s health, the Embassy of the Lebanese Republic in Kuwait organized the second edition of the “Breast Cancer Awareness and Health and Wellness Enhancement” event, in collaboration with the Lebanese Women’s Council in Kuwait. More than 85 women participated in a gathering that combined health awareness, physical activity, and psychological support, set against a positive atmosphere characterized by optimism and solidarity.

The event opened with a welcome speech by Mona Haddad Al-Khoury, wife of the Lebanese Ambassador to Kuwait, who emphasized the Embassy’s commitment to transforming this initiative into an annual tradition that highlights women’s health and raises awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. She stressed that knowledge and prevention constitute the first line of defense against the disease. Al-Khoury underscored that early detection and regular screenings contribute to saving lives and improving treatment prospects, affirming that women’s empowerment begins with providing them with accurate information to help them make informed decisions about their health. She also noted that the concept of wellness extends beyond physical health to include mental and emotional well-being, which play a fundamental role in achieving balance and enhancing quality of life.

The program included an awareness session presented by Dr. Joanne Hans, who discussed the importance of mental and emotional health and its impact on quality of life. This was followed by an intervention by Dr. Georges Assaf from Dar Al-Shifa Hospital, who emphasized the importance of prevention and regular screenings for early detection of breast cancer, explaining how early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes and reduces complications.

The event also featured an interactive fitness session supervised by fitness trainer Rania Al-Khatib, who encouraged participants to engage in physical activity and make movement a part of their daily routine, recognizing it as a healthy habit that contributes to overall well-being alongside medical follow-up and adherence to preventive measures. Trainer Rania Al-Khatib highlighted the importance of exercise for women’s health, particularly after the age of 40, noting the role of physical activity in promoting general health and helping to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast and endometrial cancer. She urged women to practice various forms of exercise, with a focus on resistance training due to its importance in maintaining muscle mass and mitigating the gradual loss of muscle with aging.

Expressing her happiness at participating in the event, organized by the Lebanese Embassy for the second consecutive year in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Al-Khatib affirmed that such initiatives contribute to raising health awareness among women and encouraging them to adopt healthier daily habits. She stressed that lack of time should not be an obstacle to exercising, suggesting that women dedicate two hours per week to physical activity, alongside attention to balanced nutrition, and highlighted the importance of consuming adequate amounts of protein to preserve muscle mass.

A notable highlight of the event was the “Tree of Wishes,” initiated by the Embassy to provide a space where participants could express their wishes, messages, and words of support and prayer for health and recovery. Participants were invited to write down their personal wishes, messages, and prayers, then hang them on the tree. This humanitarian initiative reflected feelings of solidarity and moral support for women facing the challenge of breast cancer, embodying the belief in the importance of hope and kind words in providing strength during difficult times.