Old Town Municipality Employees in Humanitarian Action Race for the Cure

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Old Town Municipality Sarajevo team, led by team captain and mayor Ibrahim Hadžibajrić, held a symbolic walk "Race for the Cure" today, dedicated to all their female colleagues who fought breast cancer.

Neither rain nor bad weather prevented the team members from honoring all their colleagues in this way, whom they describe as heroines of whom the entire Old Town Municipality is proud.

"They are our heroines, and we are proud of their fight, strength, and heroism shown in the battle with this deadly disease. Our brave colleagues never gave up, nor did they allow the disease to stand in their way. They remained strong, dignified, good mothers, wives, daughters, and successful businesswomen of whom the entire Old Town Municipality Sarajevo is proud," it was stated during today's walk.

Over a hundred employees registered for the Old Town Municipality team, and thanks to their registrations and the generosity of sponsors, around 3,500 KM was collected. The team captain, Mayor mr. Ibrahim Hadžibajrić, thanked all employees who supported the action, as well as the sponsors, and emphasized the importance of supporting such actions, as well as the importance of preventive check-ups.

"As a local community, we wanted to participate in this action and draw attention to the fight of all women suffering from breast cancer. We have participated in similar actions before, and we have provided systematic check-ups at the Institute for the Protection of Women and Motherhood for all our female employees. Many women, thanks to these check-ups, discovered certain problems, and timely action was taken, saving some lives. I regret that many women discover the disease at a late stage, and on this occasion, I appeal to all women to undergo regular check-ups so as not to reach a point where it is too late for treatment," said Mayor Hadžibajrić.

Among today's participants in the walk were female employees of the Old Town Municipality who successfully fought both breast cancer and other deadly cancers. Their message is unified – together we are stronger in the fight, and be sure to go for preventive check-ups.

One of those whose life was saved by a preventive systematic check-up is Samija Šabeta. "Back in 2009, thanks to a systematic check-up provided by the Old Town Municipality, tumors were discovered in both of my breasts. I was operated on immediately, and the problem was resolved thanks to a timely examination, because unfortunately, I am not among those who regularly went for such check-ups," Samija explained.

"This year, we again had an organized systematic check-up. I went to the doctor at the end of July. I was afraid that similar problems to those in 2009 might occur, but it turned out that I had other, gynecological issues. I was operated on immediately, and now everything is fine, thank God, and I am returning to work on Monday. I owe immense gratitude to the mayor and the Old Town Municipality for enabling me to have these check-ups, as I don't know if I would have gone to the doctor otherwise and discovered the illness," she said. Finally, she had a message for all women: "Through this, I tell all women in the Old Town Municipality, Sarajevo Canton, the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the whole world to go for regular check-ups so as not to find themselves in a situation where they have to undergo surgery, meaning they are ill and did not know it," said Samija, to whom the team captain, Mayor Hadžibajrić, symbolically presented the "Heroines of the Old Town Municipality" award today.

The Old Town Municipality Sarajevo team held its "Race for the Cure" walk today in the Dariva area.