Several ladies turned up at the party where they were sensitised on breast cancer awareness but also enjoyed a celebration of life.

Mrs. Jean Vanterpool speaking to guests at last evening's Pretty in Pink party on Breast Cancer and early detection at UMI Fashions.

In a light moment, Deborah O'Neal and her mom who coincidentally celebrated their birthdays yesterday took a moment from the event to celebrate their birthdays.

UMI had teamed up with the BVI Cancer Society, to put on the “Pretty in Pink” Party last evening October 26, 2011 at their store in Road Town, Tortola which was one of the activities for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of October worldwide.

The party was hosted by Lorna Smith OBE, with special invited guests including the Governor’s wife Jenny McCleary, Judge Indra-Hariprasad Charles, members of the BVI Cancer Society among others.

Light entertainment, cocktail, make-overs for two young ladies, special 20 percent discount from UMI all evening were among the features of the evening. There were also short but very motivational testimonies given by cancer survivors and advises offered in how best to deal with cancer and diagnosis.

Mrs. Jean Vanterpool of Eureka Medical offered words of advice to women. She said she saluted breast cancer patients and survivors, knowing that they go through a lot and is often happy to see those who make it from the stage of detection to celebrate life after.

She encouraged women to fight breast cancer by being more proactive by way of breast cancer screening but early 20s since younger people are being diagnosed. She urged them to start with simple self-breast examination on a monthly basis, after their menstrual cycle to check for any unusual lumps and take further action based on their assessments. For ladies in their 30 to 40s, she said they should do their clinical breast examination every two years and for those in their 40s, she advises them to do their mammograms and depending on family history, some may have to do mammograms every year.

Mrs. Smith welcomed everyone for coming out to the event and thanked UMI for hosting the event.

Co-incidentally, yesterday was also the birthday of owner of UMI Deborah O’Neal and her mom, as the event later unfolded into a small birthday celebration as well.