The BVI Cancer Society continues to explore opportunities to bring comfort, care and support for those who needs it the most. Photo: VINO/File

The idea for the event named “Hope, Love, Life” was the brainchild of the Society’s member Ms Arlyn D. R. E. Gordon. “We have been looking at ways other cancer societies have been developing their idea and so we adopted the approach of June being the survivors’ [month],” explained Ms Gordon. Photo: BVICA

This is the message being sent by the Board and members of the BVI Cancer Society as they set to pull off their 1^stevent that has been designed to honour survivors of Cancer.

The idea for the event named “Hope, Love, Life” was the brainchild of the Society’s member Ms Arlyn D. R. E. Gordon. “We have been looking at ways other cancer societies have been developing their idea and so we adopted the approach of June being the survivors’ [month],” explained Ms Gordon.

The event is set for June 28, 2014 and will be held upstairs of the Plum Rose Restaurant starting 7:00pm. At the cost of only $50 per person, the event is opened to the limited space that is available and as such invites persons to grab their tickets early to secure they seat to be a part of the one of a kind celebratory event with survivors of cancer.

Equally as important President of the BVI Cancer Society Ms Gloria A. Fahie told this news site cancer survivors who would love to share in the moment of Love, Hope and Live are not required to pay but need to be registered. “I can assure you that this is not going to be just another event. It’s one of a very high class, because we are celebrating life, we are happy to be alive, we dread the loss of our loved ones to this disease and so we need to celebrate that we are alive,” said Ms Fahie.

With breaking voice as she struggled to hold back tears she recalled a recent poster that carried the photographs of several persons inflected by the disease but sadly the lone two male on that poster, Shaheem H. A. Richards and  Mr Roy A. Hodge, have both passed on. Shaheem succumbed most recently.

“We have every reason to celebrate but in so doing we need to be a strong tower for those who may need assistance and that is why we push so hard at raising funds, the cause is worth every dime,” stated Ms Fahie.

Ms Stacy C. Lloyd the Public Relations Officer for the society spoke highly of the support they have been getting from the general public and Government of the Virgin Islands. “We have been getting support but I can tell you it’s never enough as the costs for care and treatment is so heavy we have to keep at it. Many persons do not have insurance and even those who have it still can’t cover,” said Ms Lloyd.

She said that parallel to the support from home they have been strengthening partnerships internationally which is paying dividends. This weekend as they say farewell to young Shaheem Richards they would be heading off to the Sister Territory of St. Thomas United States Virgin Islands (USVI) to participate in their annual Relay for Life event.

Tickets for the Hope, Love, Life dinner event can be purchased from any member of the BVI Cancer Society and Sensus BVI and is not limited to persons on Tortola only but rather it’s a Territory-wide venture.

Ms Lloyd said it is not too late for persons to join the Relay for Life team as well.