The Anguilla Electricity Company has contributed EC$16,398.00 to the Anguilla Cancer Society for the sponsorship of Prostate Cancer Month, 2014 –September.
The cheque was presented by Ms Catherine Emanuel, Chairperson of the ANGLEC Donation Committee, to Mrs Jennifer Gumbs, President of the Anguilla Cancer Society on Wednesday, August 13. She said the contribution was made from a special fund set aside by ANGLEC for community projects and programmes.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Mr David Gumbs, CEO, said in part: “The fight against prostate cancer is a very important cause but it doesn’t get as much recognition as it should in Anguilla and probably worldwide. Somehow, us men don’t seem to take this matter of our health seriously; but this is a good opportunity for ANGLEC to get involved and to help highlight the concerning matters around prostate cancer which has become more prominent in Anguilla in recent years. This is our role in helping to fight the battle against prostate cancer.”
Ms Jennifer Gumbs, President of the Anguilla Cancer Society, made the point that prostate cancer was the leading cancer in Anguilla and the rest of the region. “We find that although we provide a lot of awareness about breast cancer, prostate cancer is roughly about 6.5 times more in terms of incidence in Anguilla,” she stressed. “With this sponsorship of Cancer Awareness Month, we will be able to bring more awareness about prostate cancer and get our men to be tested.”
Mrs Gumbs explained that the sponsorship money from ANGLEC would go towards a grand Prostate Awareness Walk scheduled for Thursday, September 25; refreshments; a cancer awareness billboard; awareness t-shirts; a collaborative fair; giveaways and radio talks.
“The society is appealing to men forty years and over to take every opportunity during the month of September to get a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA test) or Digital Rectum Exam,” Mrs Gumbs urged. “In the coming weeks the society will be announcing the official dates for the various activities in September. The Anguilla Cancer Society solicits the support of the general public as we promote Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Anguilla. Remember, early detection saves lives.”
