Bosphorus Bridge illuminated in pink for women cancers

ISTANBUL

A group of cyclists have completed a journey from Vienna to Istanbul, organized in order to raise awareness for cancers which affect women, while the Bosphorus Bridge was lit up in pink as a show of support.

The “We say stop! to women cancers” tour was jointly organized by Turkey’s Health Ministry and the European Society of Gynecological Oncology as part of the “Ride for Women” tours, which take place across a number of European countries each year.

This year’s route began in Vienna and ended in Istanbul with stopovers in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece. European cyclists were greeted by a second group of Turkish cyclists who cycled from Ankara to Istanbul. 

As part of the activity, the Bosphorus Bridge, which connects the European and Anatolian sides of Turkey’s largest city, was lit up in pink on May 14.

The final phase of the tour was cycling over the bridge alongside state officials and civil society organizations, including Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu, who also pedaled. 

“What matters is that we care for ourselves. To respect [ourselves] and to plan for a healthy future with our loved ones,” Müezzinoğlu said in a speech to reporters, highlighting the importance of adopting a healthy life style in order to avoid cancer.

“[One should] stay away from tobacco products and alcoholism, eat healthy and lead an active life. These three protect against cancer around 50 percent,” he added.