Large turnout at march for Breast Cancer

By Melissa Bryant
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE month-long activities in acknowledgement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month came to a close last weekend with the annual Breast Cancer Solidarity Walk on Saturday (Oct. 25), in which survivors of the disease and supporters of its awareness marched to heighten consciousness for their cause.

The walk was organised by the local breast cancer support group, Reach for Recovery, and began at 4:30 p.m. at Upper Fiennes Avenue and ended with a short rally in front of the old Treasury building on the Bay Road.

Marchers were seen proudly sporting their pink-themed clothing and accessories, including T-shirts that denoted the theme of this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, “It’s an Attitude, It’s a Mission, It’s Awareness for a Cure”.

Agnes Farrell, President and Founder of Reach for Recovery, delivered opening remarks in which she stressed the need for early detection, a sentiment echoed by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Rupert Herbert, in his feature address.

Cedric Jeffers, a local insurance executive, spoke about the need for persons to get life and health insurance so that if they should ever be diagnosed with a disease, some of the financial burden would be lifted from them and their family. Barrister-at-law Marcella Liburd outlined the advantages of exercise, noting that “it makes a person more positive and positive people get things done”.

The rally concluded with persons dedicating balloons to those in their lives that had been personally affected or touched by the disease.

October has seen a slew of breast cancer awareness-related activities. On Friday, October 10 the St. Kitts-Nevis Breast Cancer Patients Assistance Fund was established with the aim of providing financial assistance to persons in St. Kitts and Nevis suffering from the disease.

Dr. Cameron Wilkinson delivered two public lectures on various issues associated with breast cancer at ECCB and the Cayon Community Centre on Monday, October 20 and Tuesday, October 21 respectively.

Throughout the month, Reach for Recovery has been selling breast cancer paraphernalia including mouse pads, bandanas and plushies, with the proceeds to be used for funding their various endeavours. 
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