Cancer Society Renewed In GBI

Monday, 28 December 2009 05:10

Cancer Society revitalizing presence in Grand Bahama

By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL

Freeport News Reporter

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After maintaining a strong presence in the Grand Bahama community forseveral years, the Cancer Society found itself inactive for some time
and members say they are now ready to revitalize the organization and its work to promote the cause of cancer awareness.

During a press conference at the Society's office in the Pioneer's Professional Plaza, members revealed plans for a slew of activities for
the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Dorith Knowles-Collie, dir-ector of the committee steering the revitalization efforts, explained that the new campaign has been
received by the Grand Bahama public with great enthusiasm.

"We had persons who were former members and others who were really interested in the Cancer Society being revitalized because of the work
that it did in Grand Bahama," she said.

Knowles-Collie, who is also a director with the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, explained that the two organizations have teamed
up for a number of activities, including an awareness program for the employees of the Our Lucaya Resort on Friday, October 3.

This is the second such program the hotel has hosted for its staff, she said.

"It's to bring awareness to their staff because they felt that breast cancer is affecting so many women in Grand Bahama and so they are
starting with their own staff, which I think is commendable."

Another initiative the society is launching during October is for businesses to decorate their premises with pink, the colour which
symbolizes breast cancer.

The effort will begin on October 19, she said. "We're asking them paint the town pink... by dressing their offices with
pink, asking their staff to wear pink," she said.

A fitness walk is scheduled for October 24 beginning at 7 a.m, she added, which will start and end at the Cancer Society.

"Last year, Sister Sister began their visits to the high schools to bring awareness and this year, we are going to continue visiting the
high schools," she furthered.

Members also plan to host informative sessions on the various radio stations.

Noting that the number of women with breast cancer on the island was a substantial one, Knowles-Collie said just earlier this year when she
visited the Cancer Care Centre run by the Cancer Society of The Bahamas in New Providence for treatment, she encountered several other Grand
Bahamians there.

"They have 10 rooms and believe it or not, eight of those rooms were occupied by persons from Grand Bahama. Those are not the only persons
there, because we had quite a number of persons who had to go into Nassau for treatment," she said.

As a breast cancer survivor, she said, she knows how important it is for the Society to remain active in educating members of the community.

"A small lump or a change in your body, especially your breasts, is not to be taken for granted ... Mammograms are important, self examination
is so important," she said.

"I feel that if some people see other persons who have survived and know that cancer is not a death sentence they will say 'well hey, let me go
and check because the little lump or the little bit of bleeding may be something more serious,' and so our theme is always, early detection is
the best treatment for cancer."