BASSETERRE St. Kitts, December 31st 2012 - As Pink Lily bids farewell to its 4th year of service to Nevis and its 3rd Year of service to St. Kitts, we prepare to welcome a significant year as we celebrate 5 years of serving Nevis on 9th February.
I would like to reflect on the Awareness and Support services that we were able to provide throughout 2012.
The help and support shown by our volunteers, sponsors and the many members of the community who made a contribution or donation, enabled us to continue spreading the message of cancer awareness and that the early detection of cancer saves lives.
We reached hundreds of new people through screening programmes, talks, collaborations, symposiums, TV and radio broadcasts and announcements, the distribution of awareness material, through printed media, appeals, fundraisers and by our annual cancer awareness walkathon.
As a result of Pink Lily’s heightened profile, newly diagnosed cancer victims reach out to us for help and we were able to provide comfort, support and care during times of uncertainty and anxiety, throughout treatment and on the road to recovery.
2012 saw the reinforcement of the message of Awareness & Prevention and a most gratifying demonstration of the belief and trust in Pink Lily, from the people of Nevis, by the invitations to collaborate with the Ministry of health, by being asked to share our information with schools, banks and different sectors of the community and by the participation, support and generosity of the people of Nevis and its visitors.
From January through December 2012, Pink Lily strived to continue spreading the message that Early detection of cancer saves lives and to encourage people to become more aware of their bodies, know what signs to look out for and to report any changes to your doctor without delay.
Pink Lily Cancer Care exists to reduce the fear, stigma and phobia associated with cancer by providing support, care and education. We create a better understanding of cancer and give hope to people living with or affected by cancer in St Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean.
In January 2012 Pink Lily was invited to distribute cancer awareness literature at Dr. Thwaites Prostate cancer free screening day which attracted approximately 279 men and Julie Claxton (Pink Lily Events and Fundraising coordinator) set up a cancer awareness literature table.
Also in January, I, Lea Parris-Cambridge (Pink Lily’s Founder, Executive Director and Awareness Coordinator), flew in from the UK to conducted and present Awareness & prevention talks & interviews and launch the BSP phase 2 for 100 women to receive free counselling & mammogram.
On February 4th Pink Lily commemorated World Cancer Day and (Pink Lily volunteers Penny Avery, Adiola Brookes and Moreen Modan) distributed comprehensive cancer awareness and prevention literature in Memorial square, Charlestown, raised funds by selling Pink items and took registrations for phase 2 of the Breast Screening programme (BSP).
February also saw a welcomed collaboration with Ministry of Health, who hosted an Oncology symposium and Panel with Doctors from St. Kitts and Nevis, Health educators, cancer survivors, NGO members, Government Ministers and the general public.
Pink Lily celebrated its 4th birthday on February 9th and welcomed the newly appointed board during the AGM, Tracy Parris, Cindy Freeman and Adiola Brookes took their posts and made their commitments to fulfill their roles to the best of their abilities in order to help conduct Pink Lily work and deliver the services of Pink Lily to the highest standards.
March welcomed the Tri-Star activities (Coordinated by Winston Crooke of Nevis Cycle Club) which included a 5k walkathon fundraiser in aid of Pink Lily Cancer care (for a second year running). From Four Seasons to Charlestown.
In April, Pink Lily distributed Cervical Cancer Awareness & Prevention posters around Nevis and handed out literature at a free PAP smear screening day, organized by Dr. Jessica Bardales-Essien. Tracy Parris (Pink Lily Support Coordinator) was asked to give a short speech on how cancer affects the family. (This was televised by Info Channel Ch8).
Also televised on Info Channel in April were Pink Lily’s Easter messages of Spiritual support.
For May, Pink Lily distributed Breast & Cervical cancer Awareness Flyers for (Mother’s day), continuing the message to regularly check breasts and have PAP smears.
The same consideration was given to the men in June for (Father’s day) with Prostate and testicular cancer Awareness Flyer distribution, reminding all men that they too need to be aware of the cancers that are specifically related to men.
In June, Pink Lily was happy to Complete phase 2 of the BSP (a total of 204 women received counselling and screening during both phases, resulting in one positive diagnosis of breast cancer from phase one and its successful treatment.
Pink Lily also received generous donations from Show Up and Shut up Entertainment from a car wash fundraiser, Nevis Secretaries Association, Pat Jeffers from her 50th Birthday and the Single Parents group.
July saw the celebrated birth of Pink Lily’s founder’s second daughter Mia K’ayana, within 5 years of her own diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and after being told that she may not be able to have children after the invasive cancer treatment.
October was a busy month for Pink Lily with the organization of Pink Lily’s annual walk, interviews, talks and the distribution of awareness literature.
Pink Lily received an invitation to participate in CIBC First Caribbean International Bank’s staff and friends walk to raise funds for cancer awareness and CIBC pledged a donation from the walk.
Pink Lily’s annual walkathon, which received Platinum sponsorship by Cape Airlines and Northern and Western Insurance Company (NWIC), took place on 13th October. The turnout and participation was affected by the bad weather conditions, however those that did participate enjoyed themselves and their beach breakfast. It was at the walkathon that Pink Lily launched its All Cancer Awareness Campaign.
New event volunteers came on board to help with the Walkathon along with loyal volunteers.
As a part of the All Cancer Awareness Campaign, Pink Lily was invited to be interviewed on Choice FM and V.O.N Radio and by Leewards times newspaper.
Tracy & Cindy Freeman (Pink Lily Treasurer and Support assistant) were invited to Gingerland High School and gave a talk on Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness
In October Pink Lily also welcomed a donation presentation by Nevis Cooperative Credit Union.
In support of independent cancer awareness initiatives, Pink Lily Provided cancer awareness Literature to Scotia bank for their awareness display.
While in the UK, (for Black History month) I, Lea Parris was invited on BBC Radio Berkshire radio, on the Louise Chandler & Anne Diamond shows to update the listeners on Pink Lily’s activities and progress.
November, saw the arrival of Macmillan (UK’s leading Cancer support organization) “All Cancer Awareness literature” from the UK, which was then distributed throughout St. Kitts & Nevis, in schools, library’s, doctors’ offices etc.
Pink Lily accepted a donation from AMSA (MUA) from a bake sale and The Leewards times interviewed Tracy and Nancy of the AMSA (MUA)
As 2012 drew to a close, December saw the: Launch of the Pink Lily All Cancer Awareness Word Search Puzzle competition (a chance to win one of 20 Pink Lily prizes)/ the closing date has been extended to raise funds for Rubylette Chapman after an appeal by Dr. Jessica Bardales-Essien.
A big contrast to 2011’s year end, 2012 ended with somewhat of a shock, when Dr. Jessica Bardales-Essien (Pink Lily Medical Advisor and member) announced that she had been diagnosed with Breast cancer and had already undergone surgery in Cuba and has since had 2 chemotherapy sessions, one of them being just 2 days after Christmas. Jessica shared her news through a press release, at the same time launched an appeal for help for Rubylette Chapman who is currently in Cuba and in desperate need of life saving Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. The appeal is ongoing for Rubylette.
As a result of Dr. Bardales-Essien’s appeal, over EC$13,000 has been raised for Rubylette since the 14th December, however, much more is still needed.
As in 2010 and 2011, 2012 saw an increase in newly diagnosed cancer clients and their families reaching out to Pink Lily for support. Pink Lily also continued to offer and provide its confidential support service to its existing cancer clients.
Sadly in 2012 we said goodbye to loved ones who fought but succumbed to cancer. They will forever be in our hearts and their families in our prayers.
For the first 3 years Pink Lily’s emphasis was on breast cancer awareness and raised funds to provide free breast screening service. In 2012, we moved the emphasis to Cervical cancer awareness and prevention and strived to reach those at high risk of having cancer of the cervix.
Pink Lily is now a comprehensive cancer support organization for men and women and we will endeavor to provide information and education on all cancers.
We will continue to improve on our level of support and care services to our clients, to reach out to those who have concerns and who need our help when they are faced with cancer. We strive to continue raising awareness of all cancers and the importance of regular monthly self examinations and annual screening for Breast, Cervical, Prostrate and the other cancers that may affect us.
We will continue to raise funds, 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 and to be able to open a Cancer support and treatment centre in Nevis that will serve the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Our efforts have continued to be recognized Island wide and this just reinforces why Pink Lily exists.
There is still much work to do and funds that need raising in order for Pink Lily to fulfill its objectives and ultimate goal of providing quality cancer care.
We would like to say THANK YOU for uniting with us and helping to make a difference in 2012.
I urge you to continue supporting Pink Lily and help us raise the funds we need to fight cancer.
Whatever we do, where ever we go and whatever we give…….. It’s all because of YOU.
On behalf of the Volunteers and beneficiaries of Pink Lily……
I would like to wish you all a bright & prosperous New Year and Pray that it is filled with Good health, Love, Laughter, Peace & Happiness.
If you would like to make a New Year donation to help fight cancer in 2013 or help us celebrate our 5th birthday on February 9th. Sponsorship enquiries can be made to 1 869 664 3306 and 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 or hand delivered to Tracy Parris at A1 Office Technology on Main Street, Charlestown Nevis.
Thank you for supporting Pink Lily Cancer Care.
Your donation allows us to raise awareness, provide support and care to people living with or affected by cancer and offer our services free of charge to the general public.
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 3306 or email lea@pinklilycancercare@gmail.com or tracy@pinklilycancercare@gmail.com
God Bless you.
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