Last month was Cancer Awareness Month and saw, as usual, telecommunications company Digicel doing its part in the fight against the disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

On Friday, October 24, Digicel’s flagship store, The Cell, located on Halifax Street was the site for a forum held to create cancer awareness.{{more}}

The event was held in collaboration with the SCORCH Cancer Support Group.

SCORCH stands for Strong, Confident, Optimistic, Resilient, Courageous and Helpful in spite of.

Speaking at the event, Digicel’s Marketing manager Juno DeRoche said that Digicel is aware of the serious nature of cancer and thought that it would be good to hold the event at the store to allow persons to gather information that could save their lives or the life of a family member.

“We know that a lot of persons pass through the store, so we were hoping that they could take time out to gain knowledge and we also hope that we can get persons through hearing about cancer to get tested…unless you get tested, you don’t know your position and it is important to know your position”, said DeRoche.

Health psychologist Dr Jozelle Miller, who is also coordinator of the SCORCH Cancer Support Group, said that the group was honoured and very pleased to be part of the initiative.

“This shows that you wanted to partner with us and help persons. This is a real disease with real challenges and in St Vincent and the Grenadines, we are not immune,” said Dr Miller, who observed that cancer affects persons physically, psychologically, spiritually and financially.

Also present at the function was Dr Stanley Horne. Dr Horne has worked in the cancer field in the United States and United Kingdom for over 10 years. He said that while he has seen a number of women being affected, men are also affected and should get involved in cancer awareness.

He said that cancer can be prevented by healthy eating. He said it is also important that persons ask questions, as there are no stupid questions when it comes to cancer. He stressed also that cancer is not a death sentence.

“If it happens to you, there is hope,” said Dr Horne.

Nutritionist Nadia Browne, who is employed at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), like Dr Horne stressed that nutrition plays an important part in helping cure and prevent cancer.

She said that persons must take a serious look at what they put into their bodies and pay attention to their diet. She added that the MCMH provides dietary advice free of cost every Tuesday from 1.30 to 4 p.m. at the hospital.

“Come and talk to me, let’s analyse your diet,” said Browne who also thanked Digicel for the chance to share knowledge.

“I hope we can do it again,” she added.

The forum also heard from cancer survivors and persons passing through the store who took time out to ask questions. There was also musical entertainment from Brian Maloney, while The Cell’s staff members passed out pink ribbons, the symbol for breast cancer awareness.

Remarks were also made by the store manager Collette Pompey, who told persons that being diagnosed is not the end of the world once you get support and treatment.

Digicel also handed over a Blackberry Q10 handset to SCORCH. The device will be used as part of a raffle to help raise funds for the group, which usually assists persons in receiving cancer treatment and counselling. Cancer survivors also received special Digicel gift bags presented by DeRoche.