SCORCH Cancer Foundation launches Facebook page, website

WITH THE LAUNCH of their website and Facebook page, the SCORCH Cancer Foundation is now better able to offer emotional and financial support to persons affected by the disease.

The website (http://scorchcancerfounda.wix.com/scorch) and Facebook page were launched on August 17 at the NIS Conference Room, one year after the launch of SCORCH{{more}} (Surviving Strong, Courageous, Optimistic Confident and Hopeful), an organization which states that it is here to offer Vincentians hope, support and encouragement while dealing with this incurable disease.

The website’s homepage is chock full of information about cancer and features a PayPal system, which should make it easier for persons to make donations.

Also on the website, persons can read personal testimonials of cancer patients and survivors in which they share their experiences dealing with this disease and the experience they have had with SCORCH. There is also a photo gallery.

Co-founder of SCORCH Dr Jozelle Miller declared “medicine has evolved; in treating a patient we can no longer focus only on the biomedical or the physical, but we must offer a more comprehensive treatment plan looking at the bio-psychosocial that one’s mind and emotional state affects their overall coping ability.”

She explained that SCORCH was formed with the objective of creating a support system for persons affected by cancer, family members, friends and loved ones.

Miller, a psychologist, spoke of the importance of support from loved ones.

“Research has shown that people who did not have strong social support were 50 per cent more likely to die from their illness than those who had support.”

Dr Melissa Miguel, also a co-founder and president of SCORCH, divulged that in St Vincent and the Grenadines, between July 2014 and July 2015 there were more than 33 documented admissions at the hospital due to a cancer, with most of the cases being related to prostate cancer.

Furthermore, there were 11 documented cancer related deaths.

Additionally, there have been four documented cases of cancer in children with one recorded death.

“These numbers, they fall short of truly representing the actual prevalence of cancer in St Vincent and the Grenadines, because we have to remember the statistics we have here now represent hospital admissions,” Miguel said.

Miller also described the financial burden family and patients face, stating that one vial of a drug for a particular cancer found in women costs around EC$3,000.

Miller encouraged the public to place greater focus on early screening, early detection and treatment to promote greater survival rates and help decrease the burden associated with cancer.

She saluted the efforts made by SCORCH to not only give emotional support, but also offer financial help to rid patients of the extra burden.

One member of SCORCH and cancer survivor Elmin Castello encouraged the public to join their group.

She spoke of how the spiritual devotion of the members keeps her spirits lifted and encourages her to keep going and keep fighting.

SCORCH members encouraged the public to lend support to both patients and families by way of prayer, encouragement to live an active and healthy lifestyle and by encouraging friends, family and loved ones to get tested.