Hand in Hand for Breast Cancer Awareness for the 12th Consecutive Year

Istanbul, 2 October 2026 – Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, one of the city’s most important landmarks, renowned for its unique location, striking architecture, rich history and exceptional beauty, is once again drawing attention to the importance of early detection as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in collaboration with the Breast Health Society, MEMEDER. Continuing uninterrupted for 12 years, this collaboration represents a strong step towards increasing breast health awareness in society and spreading this important message further.

As the only Ottoman imperial palace and hotel on the Bosphorus, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is supporting MEMEDER’s awareness efforts throughout October with the messages #CiraganSarayiPembeOluyor and #MemeSagligimElimde. Through activities across the palace, the hotel is raising awareness among both guests and employees of the importance of breast cancer prevention and early detection.

Çırağan Palace Turns Pink Throughout October

As part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, Çırağan Palace is turning pink throughout October. The historic façade of Çırağan Palace overlooking the Bosphorus and its renowned historic gates are illuminated in pink throughout the month. Çırağan Palace employees are supporting the awareness campaign by wearing pink ribbons on the collars of their uniforms. MEMEDER’s management team is also organising awareness training sessions for hotel employees. Guests staying at the hotel can contribute to MEMEDER by adding an optional donation to their bills throughout the month. Informative materials highlighting the importance of early detection of breast cancer are featured in common areas and restaurants, while pink floral arrangements welcome guests at different points across the palace.

Awareness Meets Gastronomy

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is supporting the breast cancer awareness campaign through a range of gastronomy offerings and initiatives throughout October.

A giant pink chocolate model of Çırağan Palace, handcrafted by the master pastry chefs, is on display in the lobby. At Gazebo, information cards highlighting the importance of early detection of breast cancer are placed on the tables, while throughout October, pink baklava is served with tea and pink madeleine chocolates in the silhouette of Çırağan Palace are offered with coffee. The hotel’s online shopping platform, Çırağan Palace Shop, also offers pink ruby madeleine chocolates in the forms of Çırağan Palace and the Historic Gate, as well as no-sugar-added products in the ‘Fit Lezzetler’ category. Proceeds from these products will be donated to MEMEDER at the end of the month.

Ralph Radtke, General Manager of Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul and Regional Director of Kempinski Residences Türkiye, said the following about the collaboration: ‘As Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, coming together with MEMEDER around the same purpose for 12 years holds a special meaning for us. We see social responsibility not as a periodic form of support, but as a long-term commitment and a natural part of our corporate culture. We are pleased that this uninterrupted collaboration of 12 years has contributed to strengthening awareness around early detection of breast cancer. We will continue to stand by MEMEDER’s valuable work and reach more people together.’

Prof Dr Vahit Özmen, Founder and Honorary President of MEMEDER and President of the Senologic International Society, emphasised the importance of early detection: ‘Breast cancer continues to be the most common type of cancer among women. However, early detection significantly increases treatment success. For this reason, raising public awareness is of great importance. Through our 12-year collaboration with Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, we continue to reach thousands of people every year and create awareness. We believe this valuable support will contribute to more women continuing their lives in good health through early detection.’

Leman Otru, Chairwoman of MEMEDER, highlighted the value of the long-standing partnership: ‘It is extremely valuable for us to see that our long-standing collaboration with Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul has made significant contributions to spreading breast health awareness in society. Thanks to this support, which enables us to reach more people each year, we are able to communicate the importance of early detection even more strongly. With the same determination, we will continue our efforts to touch the lives of more women and grow awareness.’

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Press Contact

Neslihan Şen · Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

Çırağan Cad. 32 · Beşiktaş 34349 · Istanbul · Türkiye

Phone +90 212 326 4646 · [email protected]