Respecting Z** 's wishes Nithya has kept her name anonymous. Nithya recollects Z**'s concerns of how her condition of Breast Cancer wasn’t well accepted in her community.
"Sharing stories of Breast Cancer warriors & together raising awareness & normalizing it became my 2nd purpose under PINKDAYTOSHINE."- shares Nithya
#PINKDAYTOSHINE is celebrated every OCTOBER 26th , and shares stories of hope & inspiration , it elevates the spirits and it oozes with positive vibes. It is a casual get-together open exclusively for the survivors and fighters of breast cancer, it is a day to connect & share the zest for life with one-another. It’s not easy to talk about the most vulnerable days of your life. Yet these women come forward in hopes to help others.
In 2019, Nithya organized the 1st #PINKDAYTOSHINE in Dubai. #PINKDAYTOSHINE extended a special portrait photoshoot inclusive of makeup to 10 Breast Cancer warriors who have volunteered to raise awareness. As a token to appreciation for coming forward to share their story and to applaud their strength and positivity, PINKDAYTOSHINE offers a small goodie bag with special gifts to the participants of the photoshoot. "While the photoshoot lifts the spirits and shares the story of some brave warriors of Breast Cancer, the getogether was equally important as a platform for the women to connect and share their personal stories.", shares Nithya . The casual getogether in 2019 saw over 40 lovely ladies, each of whom had a unique Breast Cancer journey & an inspiring story to tell.
Nithya thanks all those who supported her & her vision. Nithya shares, "This probono event wouldn't have been special without the support of some amazing brands & individuals."
They came forward & offered services and gifts. Nikon MEA lending their voice as imaging partner , Rove Hotels sponsoring the space , professional makeup artists - Gracie , Kosha Vora, Paula Goia , Priyanka Sarkar and women run small businesses offering gifts towards the goodie bag. Behind every brand were individuals who were deeply passionate about the cause, some of whom had lost a close family member to Breast Cancer.
#PINKDAYTOSHINE 2020
The PINKDAYTOSHINE 2020 shoot was organized over 2 days, with all Covid safety measures.
As it was amidst the pandemic, Nithya decided to continue to conduct the casual get-together on 26th October , however she moved it to an online zoom session. Being online, it was now open to Breast Cancer warriors and their family members from around the world. The virtual get-together had over 180 registrations, with participants from various emirates of UAE, Germany, Canada, USA , India and Nithya's home state Kerala. This year, it became Nithya's mission to offer more than just a get together for Breast Cancer warriors. The event saw a panel of medical experts who threw insights on importance of early detection, surgery & post care, on the importance of self care & mental wellness & on how to cope with this medical condition. The guests speakers also addressed questions from the varios participants.
Nithya had no hopes of organising Pinkdaytoshine in last year owing to an accident in September 2020. But then she got a call from a woman who had participated in PINKDAYTOSHINE 2019. The woman spoke of her friend who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and how her speaking up made a huge difference to her friend. “I didn’t fully realize the impact PINKDAYTOSHINE could create until then. So I lifted myself up and went ahead with it,” Nithya says.
2021 marks the 3rd official year, and again Nithya joins hands with like-minded socially responsible brands & individuals who support her in celebrating breast cancer warriors, uplifting their spirits and together raising awareness on breast cancer and on the importance of early detection.
For the #PINKDAYTOSHINE 2021 Zoom session scheduled on 26th of October, Nithya is organizing a great line up of speakers - including an oncologist, a senior nursing staff, an oral health specialist, a dermatologist , a mental health specialist offering valuable insights to those managing Breast Cancer. The online event will also have few #PINKDAYTOSHINE warriors share their experience & positive message to others.
"Special thanks to Nikon Middle East & Africa , the official imaging partner for lending their voice & for all the encouragement, Rove Middle East the official location partner for Dubai offering their lovely Marina space & catering , Makeup artists - Koshaa, Paula & Priyanka, for the wonderful work & support consistently over the past 3 years. And thanks to all the brands and individuals who came forward and supported this project over the years. I would also like to thank the Breast Cancer warriors for trusting me & my project #PINKDAYTOSHINE."
"I wish to give a special mention to my darling daughter, who is a pre-schooler as takes on the responsibility of packing all the lovely gifts into the goodie bags for the "PINKDAYTSHINE SUPER WARRIORS" as she calls them. All cheering me all the way, every year. Amma loves you"- Nithya Rajkumar