Ann Marie Letang and Vernice Battick
October is being observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Anguilla and a drive is underway to sponsor 100 mammograms for women on the island who, among other reasons, are unable to meet the high cost of the service.
The drive is an initiative of the Anguilla Cancer Society. It is being made in collaboration with Digicel, Tropical Distribution Co. Ltd (distributors for Kimberley Clarke Blue Ocean), CapJuluca, Women with Heart and the Nutrition and Health Promotion Department.
The Cancer Society called a press conference on Monday at which reporters were issued with a release which stated in part: “Throughout the month there will be a 100 Mammogram Drive for Anguilla. This initiative seeks to provide 100 mammograms to women who have no insurance, are unemployed or earn low wages. Businesses are asked to make pledges to support this mammogram drive. The Mammogram countdown thermometer is erected on the Social Security lawn.”
The drive is to raise US$10,000 to fund the 100 mammograms. Up to Monday this week the billboard showed US$500. This was donated by Runway Anguilla to Women with Heart whose President, a breast cancer survivor, said that the money was in turn contributed towards the mammogram drive.
The release also stated that: “The goals of the Anguilla Cancer Society are to assist women in Anguilla who are currently battling breast cancer and other cancers, as well as to begin a fund from which the monies will be used towards the purchase of a Mammography Machine for the Princess Alexandra Hospital.“
The release added: “It is our realization that while researchers have made significant progress in the last few years, there is still more that needs to be done. We are appealing to the general public to support the activities for Breast Cancer Month.”
Those activities, outlined in the press release and by the Cancer Society’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Rosanna Browne-Harrigan, include the following: radio talks about Breast Cancer on Klass FM, Kool FM and Radio Anguilla throughout the month; an interview on Radio Anguilla’s Zone Programme on Friday, October 18, on various aspects of breast cancer; and the Third Annual Breast Cancer Walk of Hope on Friday, October 25, commencing at 4.00 pm at the Ruthwill Auditorium.
The route will be the Airport Roundabout, the Edwin Wallace Drive (George Hill Road), down to Water Swamp; through North Hill; up the Rev C L Carty Road (North Hill Back Road); Sachasses, the old Hospital Road in The Valley, down The Valley Main Road and ending at the Ruthwill Auditorium. T-shirts will be available at US$10 each and persons wishing to support this sale should contact the Primary Health Care Buildingor any member of the Cancer Society.
Friday, October 25, will also be known as “Think Pink Friday”. All businesses are encouraged to support this event and to allow members of their staff to wear the Breast Cancer T-shirts to work on that day.
Members of the Cancer Society include Mrs Jennifer Gumbs, President; Mrs Hyacinth Hughes, Vice President; Mrs Vernice Battick, Secretary; Clifton James, Treasurer; Clayton Deane, Assistant Treasurer; Rochelle Rogers; Ann Marie Letang; and Mrs Rosanna Browne-Harrigan, Public Relations Officer as mentioned above.
