Support group promotes Breast Cancer Awareness

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LARGE crowds of people converged on Princes Street Friday (Sep. 26) to purchase a variety of commodities from members of the Reach for Recovery Breast Cancer Support Group (RRBCSG) in an effort to promote awareness of the disease.

Agnes Farrell, President and Founder of the RRBCSG, explained that the sale acted as a prelude to Breast Cancer Month, celebrated during the month of October. She added that the event was one of the major fund raisers for the group to be able to finance projects concerning breast cancer.

She further stated that it was a major way to build awareness of the causes and early detection and even treatment of breast cancer, and highlighted the use of the pink ribbon which is the universal symbol for the disease that has taken millions of lives.

“The response has been pretty good; people are really coming out to support the effort. Many persons perhaps still feel like it cannot happen to them, although most of the time it affects many young persons. The doctor usually advises that one takes a mammogram at about age 40, but now it is recommended for 20-year-olds.”

Farrell stated that the nature of the foundation gives it the responsibility to be the vehicle of information and awareness in order to inform the general public of the effects that breast cancer has had on many individuals on the island and in the region on a whole.
 
She gave a peak of what the programme for Breast Cancer Month entails.

“During October, we [RRBCSG] will have Dr. Wilkinson come to lecture us on Breast Cancer and its implications.
 
At that event, we will use the opportunity to give out information on breast cancer so that people can actually see for themselves what breast cancer can actually do.

The President of the Association added that “as a part of the promotion, the major event will be a march throughout Basseterre on Saturday, October 25, which will end with a rally right next to the Old Treasury Building”.

Farrel re-emphasised that the efforts are primarily geared toward educating people on the causes and effects of breast cancer, and encouraged the general public to continue supporting the cause.
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