Soprano Lydia Caruana is performing in aid of breast cancer research at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta. Photo: Brian Grech

Breast cancer kills and only research can prevent it.

With this in mind, two organisations working to beat breast cancer have joined forces to organise a concert to bring in funds to help raise more awareness and conduct research on the disease.

Organised by the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) and the Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT) of the University of Malta, the concert will feature soprano Lydia Caruana.

Titled A Night for Life – the Helen Muscat Memorial concert, the event commemorates the late co-founder and former chairwoman of ABCF whose life was claimed by the disease last October.

Ms Muscat was a role model and an active lobbyist in the fight against breast cancer and in improving the quality of life of sufferers of the disease.

Ms Caruana said that for this special memorial recital, she would be veering away from her usual repertoire of opera to present a lighter programme that should appeal to the public at large.

RIDT chief executive Wilfred Kenely said that, over the years, research around the world managed to eradicate a number of diseases that used to send shivers down people’s spines when mentioned. This was achieved because research institutions were given the necessary resources to study the diseases and come up with treatments.

“One day, we will be talking of cancer as a has-been terrible disease. And that day can be sooner than we think, so long as there is an aggressive research programme in place,” Mr Kenely said.

The concert will be held at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta on June 7 at 8pm. Tickets at €30, €20 and €10 can be booked through the Manoel Theatre website booking.teatrumanoel.com.mt or by calling 2124 6389.