June declared Cancer Awareness Month

The Cancer Society of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has declared June on its calendar of activities for 2011 ‘Cancer Awareness Month”.{{more}}

The Society will be using this month to accelerate its mandate to educate the population about the importance of cancer prevention and early diagnosis by having regular medical assessment.

Activities during June will focus on outreach via direct educational presentations at a number of churches, to staff of business institutions, use of the media and placement of easel-mounted information on cancer at frequented business houses. There will also be T-Shirts available from members of the Cancer Society highlighting the month.

A release from the Society said: “Our volunteer group is small but we believe that the effectiveness of our delivery to small groups will serve as an incubator to encourage others to welcome cancer education from all available sources and use established available avenues to fight cancer.”

The Society called on persons to get back into the clinics for regular assessments and to be aware of the fact that anyone can get cancer.

The month of activities will focus on direct presentations and discussions to small groups mainly comprising of business institutions and churches. During the month of June, a selected number of groups will host the Society for presentations, and after the month has passed we plan on continuing this mode of delivery to other groups.

The Cancer Society continually assists cancer victims with monetary assistance directed to receiving medical treatment.

“This is not usually advertised because we respect the privacy of medical confidentiality. Though our financial resources are limited and sources of that income very few, we try to assist as many persons who can benefit most from our intervention. Our chief income comes from our thrift shop at MacIntosh Market in Paul’s Avenue, donations from individuals and businesses and occasional festive ventures,” the release said.

The Society says it welcomes any assistance from the public, in terms of voluntary assistance, or monetary donations, irrespective of the amount.

“Already financial assistance has been received from First Caribbean Bank, Sagicor, Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, CK Greaves and Company and Business Logistics, along with a significant financial contribution from VINLEC,” the release said.

According to the release, Buccama Bay Resort has been their most significant contributor to the month of activities. The resort donated the sum to cover the purchase and printing of all the T-shirts. The T-shirts will be offered for sale and all contributions will be used for the work of the Cancer Society.