Four women from Dominica undergoing cancer treatment in Guyana are expected to benefit from a $6,000 donation to the Dominica Cancer Society; an initiative of the CIBC First Caribbean International Bank.
The donation was made to the Dominica Cancer Society’s President, Kathleen Cornelius, on Wednesday 4th February 2015.
“On behalf of the Cancer Society, we would like to express our thanks to First Caribbean for their continued support in our fight to combat cancer,” Cornelius said. “Currently we have four women in Guyana undergoing treatment and many of these women are currently unemployed. So these funds are going to go directly to them and it is going to assist us in providing much needed treatment for these four persons.”
She said today, Wednesday, is being observed as International Cancer Day under the theme “Cancer is Beyond us” and this year the focus is on young people.
“Because we acknowledge that in order to impact the society as whole we need to begin to impact our young generation,” she said, adding that the country’s youth must understand that cancer is treatable and curable as long as it is detected early.
Meantime, Business Support Officer at CIBC, Rhonda Lawrence, said the initiative has raised over US$1-million total in the region last year.
Wednesday’s donation was made through the efforts of staff and corporate sponsors such as: LIME Dominica, Courtesy Car Rentals, McMillian Jno Baptiste, Springfield Trading, Belfast Estate and JAS Garraway.
Lawrence said the funds were raised in 2014 and this year the bank is going to continue to raise funds through cake sales, barbecues and by asking corporate companies for financial assistance.
“As little as it is, every bit that you give, it adds up,” Lawrence said.
The initiative began about three years ago in every territory that the bank operates in to raise funds towards local cancer societies.
Meanwhile the Dominica Cancer Society is conveying the following message to the public in light of World Cancer Day:
Our gentle reminders to you today:
Ladies: -Have you had your annual pap smear?
-Have you visited the doctor to have your clinical breast examination done?
-Are you over forty? Then please schedule your first mammogram or remember the date for your follow-up.
-Monthly breast self-examinations are necessary for both men and women: if you are not sure, please visit your health care provider to learn how it’s done.
Men:
-Your Digital Rectal Examination is due once you are over forty. Please don’t hesitate to visit your health care provider promptly…a few awkward moments can save your life.
-Please get your PSA done at the lab when ordered by your health care provider.
Men and Women:
-Colonoscopies: used to screen for the early detection of Colorectal Cancer should begin at 50years old
-Please be familiar with your personal risk factors for any of these cancers: pay attention to your dietary habits, your levels of physical activity, your sexual habits and your drinking or smoking habits.
-Please know and get familiar with your family history of cancer.
-Knowledge is Power!! People perish for lack of knowledge!
Be wise: Early detection saves life!!
more cancer sensitization should be on going, for informing the public on their health and also exposure for the society to obtain more donations
very good news. god bless this society.. can someone comment on such good gesture? everyone is quiet if it was roro you would hear some of them. god bless dominica