BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH a relatively large number of women in St. Kitts not adhering to the call of getting screened for breast cancer, one non-profit organisation is continuing the push to have more of them coming forward and to undergo mammograms free of cost.
The Essence of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, which has been around for some five years has now become a household name for women’s breast cancer care.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, President of the Foundation Pamela Armstrong explained that the entity is providing an essential service to women in St. Kitts by having them screened for breast cancer and to undergo free mammograms.
About the foundation
Armstrong explained too that the Foundation was established in remembrance of a number of her friends who succumbed to the cancer virus several years ago.
“I lost six girlfriends and that is how Essence was formed. It was formed out of pain and hurt because of my girlfriends and close friends who passed away. I got with a few friends that I knew and we asked what should we do, and it was decided that we would form a foundation.”
She noted that a walk against breast cancer was the first event promoted by the Foundation.
“We started with a walk, because we wanted to walk just to show survivors that we are right there with them and to think about the people who lost loved ones; so that what we did. Then we moved from there and spread the word and make this big, and that’s how Essence was formed,” Armstrong-Hendrickson explained.
She added that this is not a “fly by night foundation” because it is legally bound by the Court.
Currently, the Foundation does not have an office of its own but it has in excess of 14 members, the President informed.
“Now people are saying that ‘well look Essence of Hope, they are doing things’. They know that they can call on us. People are coming, not just for mammogram but also when they are going away to get treatment…We have spent hundreds trying to get people to go to Trinidad or the United States to get chemotherapy, so we are known in the community,” Armstrong said.
Challenges faced
One difficulty that any non-profit organisation normally faces is the lack of monetary support, the president outlined.
“Financially, you do not get a lot of the private sector to help. The sad part is in October when people open their hearts and their wallets. November to September is like pulling teeth to raise money.
“As members, we use some of our own monies. So with something like this (Tea Party), a lot of it comes out of our pockets.”
Walkathons
Armstrong stated that members of the Foundation find joy in their annual walkathon, where they get the opportunity to meet and interact with women and men as well as to sensitise them about breast cancer.
“At the annual walk, I must say that at the walkathon we have a ball. We really do have a ball at the walkathon! We get a lot of praises, we get a lot of hugs and we get people crying. It’s really a fun day for us at the Foundation.”
The President explained that forums such as the Tea Party and members going on air are some of the avenues used to let people know what the Foundation is doing. She however declared that the Foundation’s aim is to include commercials and billboards in getting its message out to the masses, but it is restrained due to the lack of funds.
From this backdrop, she is calling on the private sector to assist, “because a lot of times we put a lot of things on the government, but sometimes we got to help ourselves, and this is where the private sector comes in”.
She explained that when someone diagnosed with breast cancer calls on the Foundation for help, they do not want to hear a negative response. “Therefore, even if it is a dollar, we want the private sector to help”.
Persons who would like to make contributions to this worthy cause can contact the Foundation or its President on 660-0152 or 762-3183.
