New fund to focus on women's health

South Korean cosmetics group AmorePacific Corp and the China Women's Development Foundation are joining hands to launch a fund to focus on helping women prevent and treat breast and cervical cancer.

The fund was launched on Feb 29, alongside the planned AmorePacific Woman Health Charity Run, to be held on April 10 in Shanghai - an event which will promote the health benefits of running for women.

AmorePacific's efforts to raise cash for the new fund will include auctioning off some of its products, while the foundation, a nationwide social welfare organization, will offer professional guidance.

Charles Kao, AmorePacific China president, said the fund sets a milestone for AmorePacific's involvement in Chinese philanthropic causes.

"The fund will further widen our platform and gather more social resources to fight these two cancers and bring more care and hope to women in China," said Kao.

Zhen Yan, deputy director of the Committee for Social and Legal Affairs of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former vice-chairman and the secretary of the All-China Women's Federation, vice-president of the China Women's Development Foundation, said improving the living quality and health of Chinese women requires everyone's participation.

"This fund will bring new blood to the efforts being made at improving Chinese woman's health and providing increased medical aid to help women who are in need."

Zhang Yu, MD degree in gynecologic oncology of Peking Union Medical College and doctor of Peking Union College Hospital, said breast and cervical cancer are most frequent tumors among women, but that frequent testing and checks could significantly reduce occurrence and death rates.

"It is important to highlight the whole process, particularly early testing and post-surgery care," said Zhang. "These two areas heavily rely on raising public awareness and social supports."

The charity event Make Up Your Life - which promotes knowledge and skills in beauty and skin care, was founded by AmorePacific in South Korea in 2008 and was introduced into China in 2011.

Since then it has been supporting women suffering from cancer, by helping them rebuild confidence and restore health, promoting medical testing and highlighting ways to recover after surgery.

wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn