CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - PINK LILY Breast Cancer Care Nevis founder Lea Parris, who went public with her personal cancer experience in order to raise awareness and help others affected by the disease, was married on her birthday (Saturday June 12), in a romantic ceremony at Villa Paradiso on Paradise Beach, Nevis.
Lea married Vincentian Kendol Cambridge, whom she met while on a cancer awareness mission in Anguilla in June 2008.
Pastor Cecele Browne of the Gingerland Wesleyan Holiness Church officiated at the wedding attended by relatives, close friends and colleagues. Kendol’s mother, Esther Cambridge - her aunt, Lorna Simmons, and brother, Kirt Cambridge, flew in from St. Vincent; while Lea’s aunt, Nita Paris, who introduced the couple, winged out from Anguilla for the wedding.
The celebrations did not end in Nevis. The couple travelled to England with Lea’s son, her sister and niece on the following day of the wedding for a church blessing and reception party on Saturday, June 20, the date they met one year earlier. The party was hosted by Lea’s parents, Robert and Mary Parris.
At a breakfast interview several hours before the wedding in Nevis, Kendol said when he met Lea it was love at first sight.
He later asked for her number and they spoke on the phone every day for hours after she returned to Nevis. After only four days, he told her he wanted her to be his wife. He would wake her up in the mornings, call her during her work breaks, throughout the day and to say goodnight.
“Even when I went back to England he would call me just as many times, despite the cost of the international phone calls.”
On the day Kendol proposed to Lea, he asked her when she would be celebrating her birthday and said that he would like to marry her on that day at sunset on the beach.
Lea did not give him an answer immediately; she told him that he should wait until they meet again face to face. Kendol was however determined to win his princess, and she finally consented over the phone. They met in St. Maarten to buy a ring and made their engagement official that weekend on August 9 while in Anguilla.
Lea’s breast cancer status does not disturb Kendol. He sees her as a whole woman. “My love for her is unconditional. I will support her in every way I can. I feel very happy. I was waiting for this day for a long time. I told her I wanted to marry her on her birthday…on the beach.”
Lea and Kendol will start their married life in Nevis. Between them, they have two sons - Ethan and Kendon.
Lea was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2007. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and was given Tamoxifen as a part of her treatment.
She wanted to use her experience and positive attitude to help others, so she got her doctors' approval to delay chemotherapy by two weeks so she could make a trip to Nevis and start raising breast cancer awareness. On her return to England, she shaved off her long wavy hair to raise money for charity.
Lea returned to Nevis in February 2007 to launch Pink Lily Breast Cancer Care on the island. It was launched on February 9 at the Old Manor Hotel.
Lea's mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer.
Lea stresses that Pink Lily 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 fundraising events.
