CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – LAST Saturday’s Pink Lily fund-raising Walk-a-Bike-a-Thon has netted a whopping $6,116.38. This is according to information from the breast cancer awareness organisation.
According to the information, the amount was garnered from registration, sponsor cards and donations. Half of that money, $3,058.38, will go towards 15-year-old school boy cancer patient Delon Claxton to help defray medical expenses. The remainder is earmarked for the 50K200 breast screening programme.
Meanwhile, more than 200 walkers and riders showed their solidarity for the fight against the disease by turning out in their pink T-shirts for Saturday’s event, which started at Chicken Stone and ended on Pinney’s Beach. The walkers proceeded through St. John’s Parish on their way to the finish line while the handful of cyclists went in the opposite direction.
Lawyers, bankers, teachers, doctors, political leaders, housewives, the elderly, businessmen and businesswomen as well as youths and children were sent on their way just after 6:00 a.m. by Pink Lily founder and leader Lea Parris-Cambridge who also participated in the event.
First to arrive at the finish line was Derrick Liburd who was rewarded for his efforts. Prizes were also presented to the oldest finisher, Dr. Gordon Avery; the youngest, 15 month-old, Jayden Clarke who was accompanied by his parents; the first female, Nikiesha Liburd; and the first child, Jonny Kerry.
Sixty-five-year-old cancer survivor Daphne Lewis, who was diagnosed in 1997, walked from Chicken Stone to Mem's Pizza in the company of Parris-Cambridge and said at breakfast later that cancer survivors are like family. She said she participated in order to give hope and strength to patients and survivors. “I want them to know there is life after one is diagnosed with cancer.”
Meanwhile, part of the money collected by Pink Lily was presented after the event by representatives of the Black Students Association of the Medical University of the Americas. President Providence Uwimana and Treasurer Marsha Dunkley handed over a cheque for $500 to Parris-Cambridge.
