Memorial and Eczacıbaşı turn arena pink for breast cancer awareness

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ISTANBUL, Türkiye — Memorial Health Group and Eczacıbaşı Sports Club turned an Istanbul volleyball arena pink as 15 breast cancer survivors joined players on court to promote awareness and timely medical care.

Organized during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Oct. 11 event used Eczacıbaşı Peron Istanbul’s first home match of the season to encourage women to understand their bodies, notice changes and make time for appropriate medical checkups.

The awareness program was held during the Eczacıbaşı Peron Istanbul–Aras Kargo match at the Eczacıbaşı Sports Club HDI Sigorta Sports Hall. According to information released by the two organizations, the campaign carried the message: “Take five minutes to look in the mirror and carry awareness to the net.”

Arena turns pink for awareness month

The venue was decorated in pink, the color internationally associated with breast cancer awareness. Doctors, nurses and other Memorial health workers attended the match in pink shirts and gathered in a specially designated section of the stands.

Organizers said the “pink stand” was intended to emphasize the role of awareness, trust and social support in women’s health. It also delivered a broader message to spectators: personal health should not be continually postponed amid work, family responsibilities and the demands of daily life.

The partnership between Memorial Health Group, Eczacıbaşı Sports Club’s official health sponsor, and the volleyball organization allowed the campaign to reach supporters both inside and beyond the arena. The organizations said they wanted to use the visibility of professional sport to bring greater attention to breast health.

The event focused on encouraging women to recognize changes in their bodies and seek professional medical advice when something unusual is noticed. Regular screening and follow-up decisions should be made according to age, personal risk and the recommendations of qualified healthcare professionals.

Fifteen survivors join players on court

Before the match, 15 women who had overcome breast cancer entered the court alongside Eczacıbaşı Peron Istanbul players. Their appearance became the central moment of the awareness campaign.

The group included Sezgin Aköz, the mother of Eczacıbaşı Peron Istanbul captain Simge Aköz. Together, the women and players displayed a banner addressed to those who repeatedly put their own needs behind the responsibilities of everyday life.

Organizers said the joint appearance reflected solidarity among patients, survivors, healthcare workers, athletes and supporters. Rather than presenting breast cancer only through statistics, the program placed people with direct experience of the disease at the center of the event.

The presence of survivors also highlighted life after treatment and the importance of emotional and social support. Their participation was presented as a message of encouragement to women who may be undergoing examinations, treatment or recovery.

A message built around body awareness

The campaign encouraged women to become familiar with their bodies and to seek medical evaluation if they notice a new lump, thickening or a change in the appearance, shape or skin of the breast.

Breast awareness is not a substitute for professional screening, diagnosis or treatment. Screening recommendations can vary according to a person’s age, medical history, family history and other risk factors. Women should therefore discuss an appropriate screening schedule with a healthcare professional.

The organizations said the five-minute mirror message was intended as a reminder to pay attention to personal health, rather than as a diagnostic method. Any persistent or unusual change should be assessed by a qualified medical professional, even when it is not painful.

The event’s broader message was that awareness should lead to appropriate action. That may include arranging a medical appointment, attending a scheduled examination or reminding a friend or relative not to postpone professional advice.

Players extend the campaign beyond the match

Eczacıbaşı Peron Istanbul players also supported the initiative through a breast cancer awareness video emphasizing the importance of timely attention to health.

The video extended the campaign beyond the match itself, carrying its message from the court and stands to a broader digital audience. Organizers described the program as an integrated effort involving athletes, survivors, healthcare professionals and supporters.

Women’s volleyball has a wide following in Türkiye, particularly among girls and young women. Memorial Health Group and Eczacıbaşı Sports Club said this reach provided an opportunity to present health awareness through familiar athletes and a shared sporting experience.

By placing the campaign within a major sporting event, the organizers sought to make discussions about breast health more visible and approachable. The pink arena, survivor participation and player messages were designed to reinforce one another throughout the match.

Uludüz: Sport can strengthen solidarity

Memorial Health Group CEO Bora Uludüz said the organization’s cooperation with Eczacıbaşı Sports Club created an opportunity to encourage women to take action for their health.

Uludüz said women’s volleyball inspires large audiences, especially young girls, through the achievements of its athletes. He added that the partnership aimed to transform that interest into practical support for women’s health.

“Make room for your own health among life’s responsibilities,” Uludüz said.

He said taking time for a checkup, reminding a friend about an appointment or supporting a relative who needs medical advice could represent meaningful outcomes from the campaign.

Uludüz also pointed to the combined participation of athletes, breast cancer survivors and Memorial healthcare workers as an example of how sport can help create solidarity around a public health message.

“We hope the unity created by sport will contribute to a form of solidarity in which women also look out for one another’s health,” he said.

Awareness intended to continue after match

Memorial Health Group and Eczacıbaşı Sports Club said the campaign was designed to ensure that the message delivered in the arena would continue in everyday life.

The organizations encouraged women not to ignore persistent changes or postpone medical advice because of busy schedules. They also emphasized that supporting relatives and friends can help turn individual awareness into wider community action.

Although the event centered on one volleyball match, its intended impact extended beyond the final whistle. The pink stands served as a visual reminder that health awareness becomes more effective when supported by open communication, professional care and social solidarity.

The organizers said they hoped spectators would leave the venue with a simple message: making time for personal health is not an indulgence but an important part of caring for oneself and others.

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