PHILIPSBURG – Some 342 persons received free clinical breast examinations throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Some 20 mammogram vouchers were provided to persons through various clinics. Positive and Elektralyets Foundation make it possible for 100 free mammograms at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) each year for persons that cannot afford it, or have no insurance to have this diagnostic test done.
October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness month and the Positive and Elektralyets Foundation have been working side by side providing information, awareness activities/events and workshops throughout the month of October.
Throughout the month, the foundations always encounter first-time persons that would like to know more about Breast Cancer, but not only that they also find women becoming more aware and actively involved about being breast aware.
“Thank you St. Maarten for the generous support we have received,” said President of the Positive Foundation Shelly Alphonso and President of the Elektralyets Foundation Mercedes Van Der Waals-Wyatt.
The prominent display of the V Banners at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) featuring “the courageous and beautiful ‘Pink Faces’ and with Winair’s planes and pilots boldly wearing pink ribbons enabled us to take our breast cancer awareness campaign to another level reaching regional and international communities,” Van Der Waals-Wyatt said.
“Through the collective efforts and continued support from our local medical practitioners, SMMC, AUC, AUIS, the Mobile Health Bus, sponsors, donors, volunteers, family, friends, media, Dow Musical Foundation and the Boys and Girls Brigade, and event organizers over 340 women received a free clinical breast examination,” the joint statement continued.
An estimated 900 persons participated in the Pink Parade; 180 persons participated in the Aqua Mania Adventures Pink Sunset Sail; 400 persons participated in the Pink, Phit and Phabulous walk; over 200 women participated in the Kooyman Paint it Pink; Bikers for Boobs saw 50 bikers on mostly Harleys, from the Caribbean Eagles St. Maarten and Riders on Two; over 400 women attended the Gala Movie Night, and over 20,000 breast cancer awareness literature, including shower guides and breast health handbooks were distributed to the community.
Unique events like the Passionately Pink, United Pentecostal Health Fair and the Pandora Party for Pink provided screening, fundraising and informative opportunities for attendees. Other events like the Christian Assembly Ministries International Women’s Health Forum, and the Reverend Myrna Lake Pink Sunday at the Cole Bay Methodist Church, conveyed the “be breast aware” message in a setting where people are receptive to receiving information.
New features for this year’s breast cancer awareness campaign also included a call to action slogan, use of the mobile health bus and a survivors and thrivers workshop. The next survivors and thrivers workshop is on November 19
Drs. Anthea Guy is the counsellor for this invitation only workshop. Contact Alphonso at 580-9658 or email: positivefoundation@caribserve.net for an invitation.
“On behalf of the Positive and Elektralyets Foundation, its volunteers and, most importantly, the people whom we educate, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to you for your belief in our humanitarian work and look forward to your continued support,” said the release.
“Breast cancer does not discriminate, so get checked and we encourage and remind persons to do their monthly breast examinations, their clinical screenings and mammograms. Be Breast Aware! Feel it, Find it, Fight it!” the statement concluded.
