This year’s CIBC Walk For The Cure is shaping up to be the biggest yet.
Following a service at Christ Church Parish Church, medical coordinator of the Barbados Cancer Society’s Breast Screening Programme, Dr Shirley Jhagroo, said all indications were looking very positive for the popular annual walk and run event, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
“We had 16 000 shirts on sale and most of them have sold, so we are hoping we have the biggest walk yet. It’s growing year after year, and if we can make a difference in people’s lives, then it’s mission accomplished,” she said.
The service was attended by President The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.
Jhagroo also reported success with the screening programme and the clinic, saying they managed both with minimal outside help.
“Almost all of our equipment is bought using monies raised from the walk. Our clinic is a one-stop for all the early detection tests, and it is self-sufficient; we don’t have to ask anyone for help. We have never had to borrow a penny to keep the breast screening programme going,” she said.
Jhagroo said the programme was also reaping success, with 175 760 mammograms performed over the past 23 years, still at an affordable cost of $100. She said early detection remained paramount as cancer was still largely a mystery.
“The awareness promotions across the island have contributed greatly towards early detection.
And with early detection, lives are being saved, due mainly to treatment options. We are happy to report that most cases today are diagnosed at stages 0 and 1, compared to 23 years ago, when most cases were stages 4 to 5, with very little hope for life. The most important thing at the moment is this: the stigma associated with breast cancer, which was once death, is no longer there. It is something of the past. There is life after breast cancer,” she said.
The medical coordinator said, with early detection, there was a 100 per cent five-year survival rate, after which they would reassess. She also reminded men they, too, could contract breast cancer, though it was extremely rare.
“We are asking men to also do self-exams, as early detection is just as important for men,” she said.
Jhagroo said their fortunes were blessings from God, which was why they made sure to give Him praise. She also thanked the sub-committee members, staff and volunteers in the programme.
“You work selflessly to promote awareness, provide support and advocate for those touched by this disease. Your selflessness and commitment to the well-being of our community are a shining example of the best of our society. So let us continue to work together to create a society where every individual has access to quality health care, support and guidance,” she said.
The sermon was delivered by Reverend Canon Mark Harewood, who urged the congregation to recognise God’s blessings.
“God has helped the Cancer Society, God is helping us all, so we can’t have this arrogance. We cannot be blind to the needs of others. God has called us as a community, not high or lowly, but as brothers and sisters in the risen Christ,” he said.
