Mustique Airways has thrown its weight behind raising awareness of breast cancer by branding one of its aircraft with the pink ribbon that is symbolic of the cause – thus turning the aircraft into a “flying billboard.”

On Wednesday, August 27, 2014, representatives from Mustique Airways,{{more}} the SVG Medical Association and the cancer research department of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Toronto, Canada) unveiled the aircraft to the public at the E T Joshua Airport in Arnos Vale.

Mustique Airways operations manager Marcus Dabriel explained that over a two-year period, a percentage of the revenue generated by the pink ribbon branded aircraft would be donated to the Sunnybrook hospital, as well as the SVG Medical Association.

“Our main objective here in St Vincent… is to bring the research back here,” explained Dabriel. “Our treatment centre here, as it is right now, we don’t really have any. It may not happen within the two years, but this is our long-term goal.”

Dabriel also shared his hope that this initiative will result in doctors and other experts from the research/treatment facility coming to St Vincent and the Grenadines to give free diagnoses and treatment.

Dr Rosalind Ambrose, president of the SVG Medical Association, said that she was “very excited” about the venture and that the association is standing “shoulder to shoulder in this two-year drive to raise awareness about breast cancer.”

She further challenged the bigger airlines within the region and North America to undertake a similar venture to raise awareness and funds.

“It only takes one aircraft out of hundreds!” she pointed out.

Ambrose went on to explain that although local medical professionals are able to diagnose breast cancer, treatment and therapy generally has to be sought abroad and this comes at a “phenomenal” cost.

The Sunnybrook hospital, which is known for being one of the largest, most innovative and most advanced facilities in the world for breast cancer research, has been championing a form of treatment called brachytherapy, which Dr Ambrose said she is enthused about.

“It really is exciting, this new turn that management of breast cancer has taken,” she said.

Brachytherapy is a less invasive – and hence less expensive – form of treatment that involves implanting radioactive seeds or sources in (or near to) the tumour. This delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumour, while reducing the exposure to the surrounding healthy tissues.

Mustique Airways operates as far north as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and as far south as Caracas, Venezuela, so it is hoped that this venture will promote breast cancer awareness in not only SVG, but also within the region.(JSV)