The Lions Club of Tropical Gardens launched Breast Cancer Awareness month on Sunday with an inspiring Ecumenical Service held at the Breeze Way of the Cayman Islands Hospital.
Lion President Norma McField warmly welcomed members of the public to the innovative launch and said that under the theme, Partnering to Increase Awareness, the Lions Club hopes to work with other organizations and individuals to promote healthy lifestyles.
The officiating clergy included Rev. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield and Rev. Mary Graham, who is also a member of the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens. In her words of healing and comfort, Rev. Noble-Bloomfield urged the community to be more sensitive to the all encompassing changes one goes through when diagnosed with breast cancer or any other illness.
‘You can only truly attempt to understand these changes when you walk in the other person’s shoes,’ she said, inviting the community to fully embrace this month as one of support and healing.
Ms Andrea Bryan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, officially declared the month of activities open by symbolically releasing a bunch of pink and white balloons. Ms Bryan voiced the Ministry’s full support of the activities planned for October and stressed the benefits to be achieved for the community where organizations such as the Lions Club partner with other groups for greater impact.
Mrs. Joy Scott and Ms Lucille Seymour, both cancer survivors, read scripture lessons. Ms. Seymour, MLA for George Town, said that while she was not a breast cancer survivor, she was nonetheless a cancer survivor and extremely honoured to lend her voice to this important event.
Music played an important part in the afternoon’s activities, with Denver Bloomfield on the keyboard, Joyce Fell on violin and soloist Joy Oremule performing a moving rendition of Great is Thy Faithfulness.
Candles were lit in memory of those lives lost to breast cancer as well as a symbol of hope for the future.
Lion Liz Smith, Chairman of the Lions Cancer and General Health Committee, thanked the community for its overwhelming support and encouraged everyone to attend the various clinics and district awareness meetings planned for October.
In her closing remarks, she reminded the gathering that Dress Down/Dress Pink Day is scheduled for 14 October and the Brenda Tibbetts Lund 5K Walk/Run for 15 October. These two events help to fund the Club’s distribution of mammogram vouchers to qualifying members of the community.
Related Videos
