Think Pink, Save Yourself.

Uzma,
2 years after being diagnosed.
She lost all her hair
but kept her chin up.

The nurse told me which ward Uzma was in. I walked to it and entered, I looked at all the patients but couldn't see her on any of the beds. "I'm here, Beautiful", she called out. I heard the familiar voice behind me, but as I turned to look at her I found a face and body I couldn't recognize. It was an old woman, various drips injecting her arms, and the tube in her nose to help her breathe. Stunned, I quickly put a smile on my face and walked toward her. I hugged her, softly, I was afraid I'd hurt her. "You didn't recognize me, haina?" she asked, smiling. I changed the subject. 

This is when Uzma's battle with Cancer had just begun. She fought like a true warrior, but when it was her time to go, we all had to accept it, including her. 

I remember getting the message from her one day when she was diagnosed with 4th stage. She had been at work and the pain in her upper back had gotten so bad she decided to get it checked. It turned out she had Breast Cancer. I always wonder, if only we had traced it before, would things go differently. Would my darling, beautiful friend still be with me, still be alive?

I'm writing today to appreciate Chugtai Lab's efforts to create awareness on Breast Cancer nationwide with a drive called #ThinkPink. This is so important, and we don't talk about Breast Cancer enough with our girls, young women. Which is why this step towards creating awareness and educating Pakistani people (men and women) about Breast Cancer and the benefits of early detection is a great initiative.

There are many myths surrounding Breast Cancer which need to be broken. As Dr. Sehba Arji, a Pathologist says, "If you're above 20, you need to examine yourself monthly". I agree.

We must never take our health lightly, as Muniba Mazari, Head of CSR at Chugtai Lab, insists: young women and all women in general, must take their health seriously, "Breast Cancer is a topic that is hardly talked about by men or women. It is because of this societal taboo that many women keep suffering for a long period of time until the Cancer reaches a stage where it becomes harder to treat that it would initially have been." How sad. Don't let it be you, or someone you love.

The Chugtai Lab Team at one of the #ThinkPink Karachi sessions

While I firmly believe that there is a time for each of us to go, I don't like the idea of "going" painfully. Uzma spent 4 years fighting the Cancer which started in her breasts, then went on to her lungs, then her liver, then her brain. If only it had been traced at an early stage and treated, perhaps my darling friend would still be with me, alive, healthy, and smiling that beautiful smile. May she forever rest in peace, amen.

Breast Cancer is treatable, but early detection is key. 

Check your boobs now, please... #ThinkPink

Error 404: People.

I'm tired.
I'm tired of stupidity. And mediocre thoughts.
I'm tired of fake gestures. And I'm exhausted with false words which lead to actions which are just for show and tell.
I'm tired of lies, of hidden agendas, of people using people like tools.
I'm tired of people who are afraid to fail, they will never learn to fly.
I'm tired of people who want recognition because they think they deserve it, not because they've earned it.
I'm tired of cheats and copycats.
I'm tired of people who try to buy respect with money, I judge them.
I'm tired of rich people who are arrogant and poor people who are greedy.
I'm tired of people giving people false hopes. I'm tired of witnessing broken dreams.
I'm tired of people not making up their mind about what they want to do, where they want to be.
I'm tired of the things people do just to hurt others because their egos are bigger than their hearts.
I'm tired of fearful men and women, who don't understand the meaning of living fearlessly, of living true.
I'm tired of seeing things done without passion, things which mean nothing, which are nothing, which will never amount to anything, and which add no real value to anyone or anything, ever.
I'm tired of time wasted. I'm tired of people stuck in the past, stuck in a place they can never get out of nor ever change. I feel sorry for them.
I'm tired of average experiences, which are a waste of money, which bring no joy, which amount to nothing more than a Facebook post, to show the world you did something, you ate something, you went somewhere, you bought something.
I'm tired of ordinary conversations about the weather.
I'm tired of below average work.
I'm tired of rude people with bad attitudes.
I'm tired of people who use their mobile phone while driving, there needs to be stricter punishment for that.
I'm tired of poor customer services, and people who break queues.
I'm tired of broken roads and late buses.
I'm tired of the feeling of negativity that most people carry around with them and distribute to infect other people with more negativity.
I'm tired of people who can't make up their mind because they are too selfish and they think they can have it all.
I'm tired of late replies. I'm tired of half-assed gestures. And when people say things only because they think that's what the other person wants to hear.
I'm tired of seeing people heartbroken because they dared to love something... or love someone.
I'm tired of people who are miserable because they were afraid to leave their comfort zone.
I'm tired of hearing about women, men, children being killed in the name of religion.
I'm tired of failed systems.
I'm tired of arguments. I'm tired of people who talk loudly but say nothing valuable or positive.
I'm tired of people who stay silent and become part of the problem rather than fix it.
I'm tired of labels that people give each other out of their own insecurities.

I'm tired of people.