Can you introduce yourself?
I am Maritxu Darrigrand, president of the Keep A Breast Europe association. Passionate about board sports, I moved into this sector several years ago. I participated in the creation of the Nuits de la Glisse, I was at the beginning of Quiksilver and at the origin of the launch of the Roxy brand in 1999. I launched women's surfing competitions, such as the Roxy Jam in Bidart and then at the Côte des Basques in Biarritz. It was in this context that I wanted to bring together the musical and artistic worlds around sport, in particular to offer activities when there were fewer waves. In Germany, I discovered KEEP A BREAST during an exhibition of women's busts which served to raise awareness among young people about breast cancer and raised funds to help women suffering from this disease. I really liked the idea of being able to communicate a message through art that is not easy to get across. We also started making bust casts of surfers during Roxy competitions and organized auctions to raise awareness and funds.
What is KAB's mission?
Raising awareness among young people about adopting a healthy and responsible lifestyle for their long-term well-being, hence the importance of prevention. We developed the Check Yourself app, aimed at young women. Step by step, it explains to users the steps of self-examination and reminds them to perform this exam every month at the same time of their cycle. This app allows women to know their breasts and therefore more easily identify any changes.
What made you want to join this adventure?
I was very close friends with Rell Sunn, a surfer from Hawaii's North Shore. She had an incredible glide, grace, and femininity. She was comfortable in her own skin, generous, and knew everyone. When she had breast cancer, it was a shock; we didn't think it was fair to her. That's what motivated me to join the KAB association.
How important is a healthy ritual to you?
The concept of epigenetics is very important. Our health is in our hands; it depends not only on our genes but also on our lifestyle. I became a vegetarian 40 years ago. This approach has opened many doors for me. I always recharge my batteries through contact with nature through my surfing, skiing, and mountaineering. I also regularly practice yoga.
Taking care of yourself also means taking the time to observe your body. What advice would you give?
Be aware of adopting a healthy lifestyle from a very early age. Practice sports. Adopt a healthy diet by returning to good basics, that is to say, cook and forget about ready meals, reduce sugar and sugary drinks. Have human relationships; I think the notion of love and friendship is very important. Live as close as possible to nature and respect it.
What are the next areas of development for KAB?
Drive maximum downloads worldwide. We're the only ones with this app, which allows young people to learn about their bodies and explain self-examination techniques. To achieve this, we work a lot on social media, collaborating with Alaena, as well as with the Roxy brand. Tina Tictone, an illustrator and musician from the Basque Coast, painted a bust of Stéphanie Gilmore, a professional surfer, and designed two ROXY T-shirts, all of whose profits are donated to KAB. We just received the download figures for France, and we have as many as the United States, which is a great satisfaction for the team.
Keep A Breast addresses illness through art. How do you choose the different artists for your collaborations?
Several of us within the foundation have a strong personal network, word of mouth, and friends who know this or that artist. It's not difficult to find artists because they always want to get involved in this cause. We've worked with creators like Castelbajac, athletes like Bixente Lizarazu, artists at Biarritz Delwood, and more recently, Tina Tictone.
What is your mantra?
Respect for oneself, others and nature.
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Photo Credit Taki Bibelas