To mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Saturday, The Valley Sound Lions Club in Virgin Gorda hosted the three-kilometre Walk/Run for a Cure in collaboration with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s 27th Mourant HLSCC College Classic Race Series.
At 7 a.m. sharp, more than 40 participants gathered at the college’s VG campus to help raise awareness and promote a healthy lifestyle. Several of them wore pink as a symbol of breast cancer awareness and the fight to find a cure for the disease.
“Breast cancer awareness has been one of our causes from Lions Club inception,” said Teron Creque, vice president and membership chairperson of the organisation. “As a club, we’ve lost a few members to breast cancer, so it’s a cause that’s very near and dear to our hearts.”
The event was among several scheduled this month across the territory under the theme “Strong Alone, Unstoppable Together.”
Later on Saturday, bingo was held at Captain Mulligan’s at Nanny Cay, and the next day a church service followed at Tower of Faith Church on Tortola.
Tomorrow, a fundraising drive will be held in front of First Caribbean International Bank, which will also host its annual Walk for a Cure on Saturday.
Throughout the month’s observance, the BVI Cancer Society is emphasising the importance of early detection and diagnosis.
“The BVI Cancer Society feels strongly about early detection, be- cause too many persons in our community are discovering cancer too late,” BVICS Vice President Mervin Hastings said in a Monday press release.
The organisation believes that this message is valid in the case of all cancers and that it should be advocated continuously.
BVICS President Gloria Fahie said she is pleased this year to see community organisations pledging support and helping with the cause.The Valley Sound Lions Club is among them. It will be “going all out” as it aims to provide 75 to 100 mammograms to women in the community, Mr. Creque said.
The club is also planning a month of activities on Virgin Gorda that are designed to be both fun and informative, he added.
Every Sunday of the month, for instance, the public is encouraged to wear pink to church and post a picture to the club’s Facebook page. The picture with the most “likes” will win a special prize at the end of the month.
Community forums
Additionally, a “Pink Power Cancer Awareness” forum will start at 3 p.m. Saturday at HLSCC’s Virgin Gorda campus.
Other organisations will be hosting events throughout the month as well.
The BVI Health Services Authority, for instance, is planning a community forum to share medical information on different aspects of cancer, from symptoms to treatments to its impact on mental health.
WANT TO GO?
Activities will be held across the territory this month to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Today
• Cancer awareness fundraising drive in front of First Caribbean International Bank in Road Town
Saturday
• CIBC Walk for a Cure
• Valley Lions Club Pink Power Cancer Awareness Forum: 3 p.m., HLSCC Virgin Gorda Campus
Oct. 14
• Cancer awareness drive in front of Republic Bank
Oct. 15
• Cancer awareness drive in front of Rite Way Food Market in Pasea and One Mart Supermarket in Purcell
Oct. 21
• Cancer awareness drive in front of the National Bank of the Virgin Islands
Oct. 22
• Community breast cancer conversation, at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital Lobby hosted by the Primary Health Department of the BVI Health Services Authority
Oct. 28
• Paint the Town Pink (tee-shirts are available at the BVI Cancer Society Office)
• Tropical Soiree