“You will never have to face cancer alone...”
- Pink Lily Founder returns home
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Left~~CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – PINK LILY Breast Cancer Care Nevis’ founder, fitness trainer and TV personality of Phyzix Island Fitness, Lea Parris is back home on Nevis.
Having successfully completed her third phase of cancer treatment, Parris has returned home to Nevis for six months on the approval of her doctors in England so that she can continue her work with Pink Lily Breast Cancer Care Nevis. The charitable organisation she launched on February 9, 2008 at the Old Manor Hotel.
Parris will be introducing new aspects of Pink Lily during the next 12 months, which include awareness and educational programmes, bi-weekly Pink Lily cancer support groups, six-week Pink Lily living with cancer courses, a Pink Lily breast screening programme and men’s support services.
Parris and her mother Mary were diagnosed with breast cancer in March and April of last year respectively. Both of them had surgery, chemotherapy and underwent radiotherapy. Parris’ treatment involved her having a mastectomy in May (her left breast removed and reconstructed), chemotherapy in August and she completed radiotherapy just eight weeks ago [April 12].
Since returning to Nevis, Parris was interviewed on local radio stations Choice FM with Tessa Howell and VON Radio with Juliette Walters, and can be heard on future broadcasts in addition to appearances on Nevis TV, where she will be sharing her experience with cancer, how she has coped with the effects of treatment and how she has turned what can be construed as a negative experience into something positive by launching Pink Lily Breast Cancer Care Nevis and concludes “With Pink Lily you will never have to face cancer alone”.
Parris reiterated the importance of raising awareness of breast cancer and discussed how Pink Lily would offer support to cancer sufferers and their families and, very importantly, raise funds to provide quality cancer care in Nevis, starting with a target amount of EC$50 000 to provide screening for 200 women in the next 12 months.
Parris has been keeping a video and picture journal throughout her experience of surgery, chemotherapy, weight gain, hair loss, hot flushes, radiotherapy, her thoughts and feelings, the effect on her family, friends, work, new hobbies, fitness and lifestyle and will be sharing the footage for educational purposes at meetings, seminars, Pink Lily support groups and in television documentaries.
Parris said the reason she decided to keep these journals was to support other cancer sufferers and to help get rid of the taboo, fear and uncertainty surrounding having cancer.
Parris stresses that Pink Lily Breast Cancer Care Nevis is for everyone and reiterates that she is dedicated and committed to support the cause of fighting cancer in Nevis and encourages everyone in the community to get involved in organising and supporting fund-raising events.
“Whatever the contribution, your time, expertise, contacts, experience, ideas...we need all the support that we can get. By working together we are making a difference,” Parris said.
Volunteers support Pink Lily efforts, donate their time and use their skills and experience to provide education, care, compassion, support, confidentiality, understanding, motivation, comfort, encouragement, relaxation, fun and assistance to Pink Lily clients.
If anyone would like to talk to someone or need support, if anyone would like to become a Pink Lily volunteer, organise a fundraising event or make a donation, Pink Lily can be contacted at (869) 6648360, 6643306, 6677239 4693277 or 4690944 or Email: support@pinklilybccn.org or lea@pinklilybccn.org. The website is: www.pinklilybccn.org.
