‘Stop using Cancer Society’s name!’ – Ms Gloria A. Fahie
“We are aware of several instances where we hear and see people advertising and going around saying that they are raising funds for cancer but not a blind cent ever comes to the Cancer Society especially over the past year. And they need to stop,” said Ms Fahie speaking to this news site yesterday October 6, 2014.
While noting that they are working on legal procedures to catch and stop such behaviours the Society is very pleased that the population of legitimate supporters have seen much increase in the Territory.
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. We have made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and need your help!” said Fahie.
The awareness of cancer is on the increase even as Ms Fahie says that more has to be done as they are nowhere near to eradicating the disease. “100% yes I have seen an increase in the awareness especially as more corporate entities have gotten on board,” she said. She added that as of the time of doing this interview all the banking institutions with the exception of one have signed on to the fight against cancer and are supporting the society.
Not considering it to be a breakthrough in the awareness as per se, Ms Fahie did admit that more persons are coming forward for support.
“I am noting that we are having more and more persons approaching the Cancer Society for assistance and I find that breast cancer is the number one cancer that is present here in the British Virgin Islands,” she said, noting also that for every 10 applications received for assistance at least 7 are for breast cancer.
“That tells me that it is becoming real prominent and escalating here in the BVI and I am finding that most of the persons affected are among are from the younger generations,” she said. “We are proving that this is not a disease of the aged or the older people; it’s a disease that is affecting everyone,” she said.
Cognizant of this the society has been directing its energies especially at educating children as a behaviour change needs to start from the early age. She said that targeting children would help them in practicing among other things healthy choices in eating and at the same time children are excellent at motivating their parents to inculcate certain behavioural changes.
She said that they have already started working in the government schools with the blessing of the Ministry of Education and are looking forward to also working with the private schools.
In addition she highly commended the initiatives that are being taken to support the cause on sister island of Virgin Gorda. The Cancer Society branch there came in for high accolades for holding on to their commitments as efforts in years gone to keep the branch active have been futile.
“It was quite dormant for some time and I was quite concerned but they are right on the ball right now, they are working vigorously they just had a walk for childhood cancer and they are very much with us on painting the town pink,” explained Ms Fahie.
Additionally several business entrepreneurs have been showered with gratitude for their inputs. Ms Sasha D. A. Flax has been described as a very young woman with a big heart, initiative and drive that is said to be leading several motivating activities that show support for her community even in the areas of cancer awareness.
“We are getting applications from Virgin Gorda for assistance and that’s what we are here for. We are not here to only bring awareness but to assist people, needy persons,” stated Ms Fahie.
Recently the Cancer Society has acquired its own pin and is encouraging persons to ‘do pink’ to continue to show their support especially as breast cancer is the focus of the month of October internationally. “But remember that the BVI Cancer Society is not only about breast cancer but we are all about all types and forms of cancers.”
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23 Responses to “‘Stop using Cancer Society’s name!’ – Ms Gloria A. Fahie”
They even covered a story on that same topic a few weeks ago on Dateline NBC
People are out to get money now-a-days by any means necessary...SAD