Women who have survived breast cancer gathered with doctors and psychologists one evening in a hall of the Peyo Yavorov Regional Library in Burgas. The Complex Oncology Centre in the city hosted the event as part of its "White Swallow" initiative. The message to women fighting the disease was that they are not alone and life goes on.

This story follows our earlier report on the "White Swallow" evening, to which the centre invited women who have been through breast cancer.

The evening was for the patients. Guests were wished many more celebrations, loved ones by their side and a full life.

The centre's new director, Dr Nikolay Kiselkov, who has worked as a surgeon there for years, came from the Burgas Complex Oncology Centre, along with oncologist Assoc. Prof. Asya Konsulova. Their colleagues also attended: oncologists, surgeons, radiation therapists and nurses.

Guests included deputy mayor Mihail Nenov, Prof. Dr Sotir Sotirov, rector of Prof. Assen Zlatarov University in Burgas, and city councillors.

Kremena Kraeva, who won the "White Swallow" award, spoke about her diagnosis and how she lives today as a healthy person. At the start of her treatment, she supported other women.

Nurse Irina Dimova from the medical oncology ward at the Burgas centre has been through the illness herself and spoke about her fight against it. Today she helps women on the same ward.

Dr Ani Dragolova, a specialist in medical imaging, spoke about care, prevention and coping with fear.

The women who went from diagnosis to recovery said that small victories, the support of loved ones and the will to live win out over shock, fear and helplessness.

Fourth-grader Daliya played the violin. Everyone present wrote a wish on a small heart. At the end of the evening, participants released pink balloons into the sky over Burgas for the women fighting breast cancer.

The small hearts will be hung on the tree of hope for the centre's patients.