Breast cancer organisation launched in Nevis
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Cancer survivor and former CEO Nevis Tourism Authority, Helen Kidd, gave her story of hope.
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CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - THE Pink Lily Breast Cancer Care Nevis was launched at a colourful ceremony held at the Old Manor Hotel on Saturday, February 9.
The cancer initiative was launched amidst shocking revelations by Medical Chief of Staff Dr. Cameron Wilkinson and JNF General Hospital that every year eight persons are diagnosed at the hospital with breast cancer. Dr. Wilkinson said 66 cases were diagnosed between 2000 and 2007.
But thanks to Rawlins Village resident, fitness trainer and local TV personality Lea Parris, persons diagnosed with cancer and cancer survivors will, from now on, receive care and support through the newly launched charitable organisation.
Key speakers at the launch welcomed the charitable organisation and pledged
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An unidentified young lady pledges to support Pink Lily Breast Care Nevis
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to support it. Helen Kidd, former Executive Director, Nevis Tourism Authority, who is living positively with cancer, told guests at the launch ceremony that Parris was an inspiration. Kidd promised to enlist in the fight against cancer: “I want to be pro-active in the fight against cancer.”
Earlier, Parris told guests that whenever cancer attacks, members of the affected family require support. Mackie Tross, who lost his wife through cancer, told guests that caregivers go through traumatic experiences.
He said the charitable organisation was timely as it would create the support structures required by families who give care and support to cancer survivors and patients.
Parris, arrived in Nevis from England on Monday, February 4, 2008, in time to host the launching of the Pink Lily Breast Cancer Care Nevis..
Parris, herself a breast cancer patient receiving treatment in England, on a previous visit to Nevis discovered that the island had no mammogram machine or cancer treatment available, and that very little was available in terms of information or
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Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, Medical Chief of Staff, JNF General Hospital with cancer survivor Lea Parris, during the launch ceremony held at Old Manor Hotel last Saturday night.
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support.
She has now established a charitable organisation called Pink Lily Breast Cancer Care Nevis and is looking for international and local support of donations, sponsorship and any kind of help to obtain a mammogram machine, medical and surgical equipment, medical volunteers, medication and hospital furniture.
She wants Pink Lily to raise enough support to donate a cancer unit to the Alexandra Hospital site, which will offer screening, life-saving surgery, treatment and medication, counselling, and practical support for cancer patients and their families.
Parris is appealing to Nevisians everywhere to come together to help fight cancer in Nevis. “I have been appealing to British Nevisians to get in touch with me to support the fundraising efforts, help raise awareness and to organise fundraising events,” she said.
She also wants volunteers on the island to use their skills and contacts to help develop and run the charity in order to provide information, education and support, and to organise fund-raising events.
Parris was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2007, had a mastectomy in May, and is now receiving chemotherapy, which will be followed by radiotherapy. ~~Adz:Right~~
She wanted to use her breast cancer experience and positive attitude to help others, so she got her doctors’' approval to delay chemotherapy and radiotherapy in order to make trips to Nevis to start raising breast cancer awareness and to set the charity in motion.
Parris has been raising the profile of Pink Lily bccn on English and Nevisian radio and television stations. She has also spoken to members of the print media to share her experience and has offered her support to others affected by cancer.
Just a couple of weeks prior to Parris’ diagnosis, her mother, Mary Parris, also of Rawlins Village, was also diagnosed with breast cancer. She too has had surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Parris’ father, Robert Parris, is originally from Nevis but has lived in England for 48 years. He returns to Nevis for holidays, where he still has close family ties and many friends.
Lea Parris, a mother of one, has lived in Nevis since 1997 and is better known as TV fitness training personality on NNC and aerobics instructor at Phyzix Health Sport and Fitness. Lea Parris’s email contact: Lea@pinklilybccn.org
