The British and Irish Ambassadors and the ThinkPinkLux team, together with collaborators on the book Ros Browne, Holly Lowe and Joanna Macleod;
Credit: Dónal Cannon
Think Pink Luxembourg (ThinkPinkLux) ASBL has presented the third edition of its "ThinkPink Guide to Living in Luxembourg".
The book presentation took place in the recently refurbished library at the International School of Luxembourg (ISL) on Wednesday 9 October 2024, marking a significant milestone in the support and empowerment of women affected by cancer in Luxembourg.
The event was graced by the presence of the British Ambassador to Luxembourg, Fleur Thomas, and the Irish Ambassador to Luxembourg, Jean McDonald, as well as contributors, supporters, researchers, breast care nurses, doctors and members of the ThinkPinkLux community.
The evening began with speeches, first from Carrie Cannon introducing the book, followed by a moving speech from Ros Browne, co-author and editor of the "ThinkPinkLux Guide to Living in Luxembourg". Ros reflected on her involvement with the book and emphasised the power of personal stories from women who have lived through cancer. She highlighted the significance of giving a voice to those whose lives have been affected by cancer, in providing tips and guidance for those who might follow in their footsteps as well as celebrating their courage, strength and resilience.
Carrie and Ros also acknowledged and thanked Holly Lowe for her work in the layout and cover design of the guide and Joanne Macleod for her cover painting.
Ambassador Fleur Thomas shared her personal journey with cancer, offering a moving account of resilience, advocacy and sheer grit, noted the organisers. Her words resonated deeply with the audience, inspiring those present to continue advocating for awareness and support.
Ambassador Jean McDonald spoke passionately about the strength of community support, underlining the collective efforts required to create a supportive environment for cancer patients and their families. She commended ThinkPinkLux for its unwavering commitment to fostering a strong network of care and encouragement for women in Luxembourg.
Carrie Cannon introduced Jim Kent and Robert Liebl, who gave a brief but impactful overview of Soul Talk, a support group ThinkPink asked them to lead for men navigating their own cancer journeys or supporting partners with cancer. They highlighted the importance of providing a dedicated space where men can openly discuss their experiences, emotions and challenges.
A highlight of the evening was a presentation by PhD students Diogo Pereira Fernandes and Wanxin Huang from the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), who shared their research findings in cancer progression. Their work, which is supported by ThinkPinkLux, provides critical insights into improving cancer treatment and patient well-being. Their findings showcased the importance of research in shaping better outcomes for those affected by the disease.
The event also featured a video presentation that highlighted the achievements of ThinkPinkLux over the past fifteen years. The video showcased the organisation's efforts in raising awareness, providing support and contributing to vital research, illustrating how ThinkPinkLux continues to make a difference within the Luxembourg community.
The evening concluded with a networking reception, offering guests the opportunity to connect, share experiences and build on the momentum of the event.
ThinkPinkLux extended its gratitude to all who attended and contributed to making this evening a success. The organisation said the launch of the "ThinkPinkLux Guide to Living in Luxembourg" marks another step in reinforcing its commitment to supporting women and families in Luxembourg.
