CHARLESTOWN Nevis, March 30th 2011 - Walk enthusiasts on the island, families affected by cancer, fight against cancer advocates have an opportunity to create cancer awareness this evening at the TriStar Nevis’s 5K walk-run a fund-raiser for Pink Lily Cancer Care. They also have an opportunity to walk along side world top athletes, among them, Chris McCormack from Australia.
Registration desk will be mounted from 10.00 a.m at the Artisan Village. At 3.00 p.m a registration desk will be mounted at the Bay Front next to the yellow truck.
The walk will start from Samuel Hunkin’s Drive to Four Seasons and back this evening at 5.00 p.m . Participants who enlist for the 5K walk-run will go along way to fight cancer, said Claxton. Entry fees include T-shirt and refreshments. Adults’s registration fee is $25.00 while children under the age of 12 registration fee is $15.00.
Potential participants can also pick up forms from A1 Office Technologies, Nevis Tourism Authority(NTA) or at the TRISTAR Registration desk at the Artisan Village Nevis.
Pink Lily Chair and Event Coordinator, Julie Claxton has thanked Tristar Nevis’s organizers for their kind gesture. She said Tristar Nevis organizers and Pink Lily are seeking to recruit 500 participants for this worthy cause. Claxton has appealed to the 100 women who benefited from free mammograms during the first phase of the Pink Lily Cancer Care Breast Screening Programme to come out in large numbers and support the noble cause.
Tracy Parris, Pink Lily Client Support Coordinator who keeps constant support with clients diagnosed with cancer who enlist with Pink Lily has said the awareness creation helps persons diagnosed with cancer to come forward and this way, they are given emotional and psychological support.
Parris said,through the 50K200 fund raising events in 2009, EC25,000 was raised which enabled Pink Lily to offer free mammograms to 100 women in 2010. Other funds raised helped meet other general costs such as donations to clients needing treatment, phone support for clients and printing of awareness creation materials.
Additional funds are needed to screen another 100 women and for the charity’s operational costs..
According to the President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Federation Triathlon, Winston Crooke, Star Events have partnered with Livestrong foundation to raise money for Pin Lily. The Alexandra Hospital is one of the institution that is also tipped to get donations.
Pink Lily was founded by British born Lea Parris-Cambridge after her and her mother’s own personal experiences with breast cancer. Pink Lily was founded and launched in Nevis, West Indies on Feb 9th 2008.
Pink Lily cancer care Nevis is a non-profit charitable organization and relies on volunteer help, donations from the public, community fund raising efforts, patrons, sponsorship and funding to provide its service free to clients and the general public.
The charity’s objectives include: raising cancer awareness and providing information and education, promoting public awareness to reduce Cancer related deaths in St. Kitts & Nevis (and the Caribbean).
Providing practical and emotional support for those affected by breast cancer and other types of cancers through support groups and one to one counselling and also provides financial assistance is also key in the charity’s objectives.
Another objective is fund raising locally, regionally and internationally and organising, fund raising events to source sponsorship and donations.
The Executive Director, Pink Lily Cancer Care, Lea Cambridge Parris, said in a press statement stated that 2010 saw an increase in newly diagnosed cancer clients, their families and survivors reaching out to Pink Lily for emotional, practical, spiritual and financial support and Pink Lily has continued to offer and provide its confidential support service to its 13 cancer patients, survivors, their families and bereaved.
The Executive Director said in 2010 Pink Lily said goodbye to four loved ones who fought but succumbed to cancer of the prostrate, lung, kidney and breast. “They will forever be in our hearts and their families in our prayers as we continue to offer and provide our confidential support and care services,” she said..
“In 2011, we will endeavor to continuously improve on our level of support and care services to our existing clients and reach out to those who have concerns and need our help when they are faced with cancer. We strive to continue raising awareness of cancers and the importance of regular monthly self examinations and annual screening for Breast, Cervical, Prostrate and other cancers. “
“We will continue to raise funds to complete the BSP, appeal on behalf of our clients for financial assistance with treatments and associated costs. Solicit sponsorship for awareness literature. Solicit funding for full time support / admin staff and operational costs for the Pink Lily Cancer support centre.”
She said she humbled by the recognition of Pink Lily Island wide and also noted she was humbled by the level of response and support. “Businesses, organizations and individuals have sponsored our events throughout 2010 regardless of the financial climate. Individuals have volunteered, participated in our walk-a-thorns, attended our functions, purchased a badge or key ring, held an event and given generous donations.”
If you would like to make a new year donation to help fight cancer in 2011, donations can be made at the Nevis Co-operative Credit Union, Charlestown Nevis or cheques can be made payable to Pink Lily and mailed to P.O. Box 150 Charlestown Nevis.
If you would like talk with someone, need support, would like to fundraise, make a donation or volunteer with Pink Lily please call us on 1 869 664 8360, 664 3306 or or email lea@pinklilycancercare@gmail.com, tracy@pinklilycancercare@gmail.com or Julie@pinklilycancercare@gmail.com
Further information about Pink Lily Cancer Care is available on the charity’s website, www.pinklilybccn . The charity can be contacted through email: pinklilycancercare@gmail.com
