BASSETERRE St. Kitts, December 18th 2012 - It’s the Season of Goodwill and Nevis was buzzing with a whirlwind of fundraising activities this past weekend, just days after a press release byDr Jessica Bardales-Essien was published in the media, announcing that she has breast cancer and had to fly to Cuba to be treated.
In spite of going through her own personal fight with cancer, Dr Jessica Bardales-Essien resident and doctor in Nevis made a heartfelt appeal for financial help for fellow Nevisian “Rubylette Chapman” who is currently in Cuba undergoing life-saving cancer treatment.
In Jessica’s press release she explained the financial burden on Rubylette(Ruby) and the family and the financial help needed in order for Rubyletteto be able to receive the expensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy that is a part of the life-saving treatment.
After the press release from Jessica, there has been a great and quick response to Ruby’s plight. On Thursday 13th December,in a true show of Nevisian Christmas spirit and goodwill, hands reached into their pockets at the Market shop Christmas tree lighting in Gingerland and EC$500 was collected for Ruby.Friday brought in another$740which was handed toTracy Parris (Pink Lilysupport coordinator) to deposit into the Maternal health fund bank account on behalf of Ruby.
On Sunday 16th December, Curtis Morton invited Sharon Chapman (Liburd) Ruby’s niece and Pink Lily Support coordinator Tracy Parristo Choice Radiowhere he hosted a live telethon on behalf of Ruby. Callers showed their support by making pledges of financial donations to help towards the medical costs.Curtis presented Tracy with EC$220 from the pledges and further pledges will be given to Tracy to deposit to Ruby’s fund account.
While on air, Curtis called Ruby in Cuba and she said a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their prays and well wishes and support for her and her family, Curtis told her to give her hearty laugh that everyone who knows her is accustom to hearing and said he looks forward to the day when she’s fit and healthy to come home and play cricket again, which she replied with a laugh that she hopes so soon.
Curtis asked Pink Lily’s Tracy Parris what message she wanted to give to the public. Tracy reiterated Pink Lily’s message of having regular check-ups and to get familiar with your bodies in order to recognize any abnormalities and that early detection saves lives.
Tracy went on to say thatthere is no need for people to suffer alone, that there is nothing to be embarrassed about and that cancer isnot self-inflicted. She also shared that there are alot of people out there who don’t tell anybody that they're sick. Tracy assured listeners that Pink Lily is there to support anyone faced with cancer in the strictest confidence and that when Pink Lily announces a name of someone who is suffering with Cancer it is with their permission and that Pink Lily are strictly confidential with people’s names and circumstances.
As a result of receiving a call from a friend of Ruby, Tracy, in her capacity as Pink Lily support Coordinator has been providing practical and emotional support to Ruby and her family since her diagnosis with breast cancer and has been in constant telephone communication with Ruby and her family since Ruby left for Cuba and passes on details of the families independently organized fundraising events and appeals,to the general public to continue the support.
Sharon thanked Dr. Bardales-Essien, Pink Lily and the whole community for their support.
Sunday afternoon saw another welcomed donation, this time of EC$1046.48 presented to Tracy by Patsy Hanley and these funds were collected at an NRP meeting the previous evening of the 15th December.
The weekend’ donations received by Pink Lily for Rubylette totalled EC$2506.48, for which much appreciation is extended to all who contributed to the appeal thus far.
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