The Dominica Cancer Society (DCS) is continuing its efforts to assist individuals diagnosed with cancer with and initiative to raise funds geared toward maintaining the CT Scan at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Having an operational CT Scan is of great importance to the society since it means members won’t have to pay costly overseas trip to have a scan done.
On Friday morning members of the DCS made up part of a welcoming team for a cruise ship at the Roseau Bayfront, greeting tourists and encouraging them to make donations to the society’s cause as part of “Because We Care Day.”
Survivors of cancer from Boston who form part of the Caribbean Foundations of Boston were also on the ship and were being welcomed to Dominica by the DCS.
“We have some friends from Boston who are on the boat who we are welcoming today and we are encouraging everybody in Dominica and in the Diaspora to take today as ‘Because we Care Day’ and make a donation,” coordinator of the event, Tina Alexander, said.
She explained to Dominica News Online that the day is geared at raising awareness of the DCS and encourage people to show that they care about people living with cancer.
According to Alexander, the donations will go toward the maintenance of the new CT scan since the overall maintenance of the machine is important.
“The donations that we are getting today are going toward the maintenance of the CT Scanner,” she stated. “We are having a new one installed and we recognize that maintenance is very important, so we are going to make a contribution toward the maintenance from the donations we collect.”
Alexander pointed out further that the work of the DCS is not going in vain since more and more people are benefiting from early detection of cancer.
“With more early intervention we are saving more lives,” she explained. “It means that we are having more discoveries of cancer so it looks like the rate of cancer is vastly increasing but in fact the rate of cancer discovery is increasing and people are finding out that they have cancer early and they are doing something about it and that is important.”
She noted that cancer treatment in Dominica is costly and as such the DCS continues to work toward raising funds to assist individuals who are unable to afford the treatment.
“You don’t want to leave it too late, you want them to get their treatment on time. We have a super support group of survivors so cancer doesn’t have to kill you but you do need to make sure that you take your treatment on time,” she stated.
In the meantime PRO for the Caribbean Foundations of Boston, Marcus James, said that the although cancer is a very deadly disease which affects millions of people worldwide, it is still treatable and in some cases curable.
“This mission is for a CT scan, the current machine on the island is probably very old and it is time to replace it and it takes a village to raise a child, so it is going to take a village to purchase the CT Scan with some contacts for maintenance,” he told DNO.
James reiterated that individuals should be willing to come out and support the fight against cancer.
The day will culminate with a special event at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium from 3:00 pm.
isn’t this ridiculous? you have a new one then why not complete the installation instead of asking people for money to maintain the old one.
So after I contribute to the maintainance of the machine, do I have to pay if I need to in the future?
This sounds like a bobol.
i dont see nothin wrong in tryin to raise fun is who in it that feel d pain let us all come on boaed and raise some fun.
My idea: Set up a location at the hospital and maybe a couple banks and credit union. Have lock boxes where everyone can drop in $1.00 or more. After 2 or 3 months, people who are reputable with a policeman can take the boxes to one location and count the money. Dominicans can raise the money themselves.
Although the cause is significant, there is a need for a ct-scan, however the venue is not appealing. In my opinion begging is begging. Whether begging is done by half naked unkempt individuals or nicely dressed individuals in suits or the national wear it is the same thing. The last thing tourist want when stopped at the shores on a cruise is people begging them for money regardless of the cause. I see that as a tasteless gesture that should be stopped. We do not want to be labeled as the country with beggars on the port. Beggars should not be a part of the welcoming team for the cruise ship.
They have not set foot on dry land and people are already asking for money , really a bad idea .
I agree with this comment, a government is first responsible for his/her nation. We do not have to beg at the cruise ships,this has to be a priority of the government to safe lifes having and maintaining a ct-scan…..this is my comment, I’m a breastcancer survivor of 11 years, the only difference is I live in Curacao.
It’s a shame funds have to be raised to maintain the CT Scan while monies are being dished out to healthy patients at the red clinic every Wednesday and Thursday. Square pegs in round holes, Change is a must.
Thursday??? Awah, you wrong on that one wi boy!!
WHEN THAT ELECTION OVER AND THE GREEDY PEOPLE IN THE OPPOSITION HAVE TO LICK THEIR WOUNDS FOR THE REST OF US TO GO ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF developing this island paradise i hope all you will change ur comments but then again you guys have been at it for 14 yrs i guess you may do it into the next generation but remember you said it change is a must but is you guys ways.
Hello to my fellow Dominican,it’s good to
Hear and see the progress and effort
That you all are making to stamp out cancer
And treat cancer,that is very good for us and
Many other country and states that is fighting
Very hard for the cause,but my main concern is that we do
Not have the testing equipment and ability to get any things done at home so please tell me how are we going to
Know if the results we are getting back is true,
I have in many years seen our people leave home
And go over seas for treatment and many more, because
We at home don’t have proper equipment an treatment,
While I applaud the effort(s) of the Dominica Cancer Society, the question that must be asked is, why is the government of Roosevelt Skerrit wasting and abusing scarce financial resources on trying to win an election, instead of channeling these resources in such a critical area? The CT scan at the hospital is outdated Mr. Skerrit said he is buying a new one, but what is going to happen to the new one if groups like the Cancer Society are not able to contribute significantly to the maintenance of this piece of equipment ? Donations from groups like the Cancer Society should be optional, Skerrit must understand that the primary responsibility is that of government, and he cannot continue to waste scarce financial resources hoping that Cancer Society will step in and cover up for his stupidity, disregard and contempt
You sound like you really need that CT scan working because you sound like your brain needs some attention. Did he force them to take up the cause? Toute beteng say goovelment den……
Looks like you need it more than me, because if the Cancer Society knew that Skerrit’s inept and corrupt bunch of jokers were able to maintain this piece of equipment on a sustained basis, there would be absolutely no need for them to beg for this particular cause. Hope the CT scan comes soon enough for you