For the first time ever, the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg was illuminated in pink last night – in a special initiative to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The building, which houses the headquarters of the Council of Europe, will stay illuminated throughout the week of the PACE plenary session – just one of a series of events to raise awareness of the disease, which affects one in every eight women at some point in their lives, and ways of combating it.
Throwing the switch on the illumination, the heads of two key PACE committees involved in the fight against breast cancer – Stella Kyriakides of the Social Affairs Committee and Elena Centemero of the Equality Committee – each highlighted the symbolism of the event.
“Each of us knows a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend who has been affected by breast cancer – pink is not just a colour it is an attitude of support,” said Ms Kyriakides. “Tonight, with this gesture, we show solidarity with all women facing breast cancer,” said Ms Centemero.
Earlier in the day, the two committees held a joint hearing on “Women and breast cancer”. PACE members and other participants in the session are also being invited to wear pink ribbons all week.
