Ms Gloria Fahie has been elected president of the BVI Cancer Society, a position she has been acting in since earlier this year 2013. Photo: VINO/file

The BVI Cancer Society held its annual general members meeting and elections last evening November 12, 2013. Photo: VINO

Mr John Phillip Aspinall aka Phill is the new Vice President of the BVI Cancer Society. Photo: Provided

From left to right: Ms Jennifer Chichester- Secretary of the BVI Cancer Society, Treasurer-Ms Rosanna K. Chichester and Public Relations Officer- Ms Stacy C. Lloyd. Photo: VINO/File

Mr John Phillip Aspinall aka Phil was elected Vice President, Ms Rosanna Chichester- Treasurer, Jennifer Chichester- Secretary, Shakeema Vanterpool- Assistant Secretary while Ms Stacy Lloyd was returned as Public Relations Officer.

The elected committee members are Ms Althea Guishard, Ms Cyralene Samuel, Mrs Malisha Charlery-Brathwaite while the trustees are now Ms Arlyn Gordon and Mrs Roselia James-Dawson.

Ms Fahie now succeeds Ms Theresa Shirley-Frett who was elected President on two occasions but had resigned from the post earlier this year. Since that time Ms Fahie had wholeheartedly taken on the mandate to keep the organisation alive and working towards reaching its mandates.

On numerous occasions she was showered with credit for doing an amazing job but she constantly reminded that it was all being done through the efforts of a dynamic team. “This was not something that I could have or is doing alone, it is a team effort and I want to thank all the members of the BVI Cancer Society who have been committed to the cause,” Ms Fahie told Virgin Islands News Online.

Ms Fahie recalled her strength as a cancer survivor and that her story has been used to encourage others in similar, better or worse situations. “We have to be each other’s strength. I am devoted to giving my all to this cause with the hope of one day seeing a cure being developed,” she added.

During her tenure as President of the BVI Cancer Society, Ms Fahie said she and team will be putting their energies to ensure that a National Cancer Registry is implemented, training/development of members in common cancers in the VI through seminars, conferences, workshops is done, rally for life and other fund raisers and to activate a cancer support group for survivors, their families and caretakers.

“We will also be focusing on all cancers designated for each month of the year, lobbying for more community involvement, development of a strong partnership with other cancer agencies for smoother facilitation of services and assistance, to take the cancer (general wellness) message to schools in relation to lifestyle thus promoting early detection saves lives, membership drive to attract more males and persons with needed expertise and to change the present image and misconception from a Breast Cancer Society to the BVI Cancer Society which aims to address all cancers,” Ms Fahie said.