Lavender light will shine across Cayman throughout February to mark World Cancer Awareness Month.
The Cayman Islands Cancer Society is once again encouraging businesses and individuals to light up their properties to promote awareness and conversation about cancer research, and encourage regular medical check-ups, pre-screening, and healthy lifestyle choices in the lead-up to World Cancer Awareness Day on 4 Feb.
Lavender is the awareness colour of all cancers and a number of locations will light up with that colour, including the Government Administration Building, Camana Bay, and Cricket Square.
World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control, the largest and oldest international cancer organisation which, according to its website, is dedicated to unite and support the cancer community to, among other goals, ensure that cancer control continues to be a priority in the world health and development agenda.
“Over the years, the Cancer Society has hosted many events in awareness of World Cancer Day such as Light Up Lavender, Lavender on the rocks, Lavender pin sale, and Lavender for Love, a carnations sale,” Simone Wright, wellness coordinator at the Cancer Society, told the Compass in a statement.
She noted the response and support over the years have been “overwhelming”.
“We are so thankful to the residents of Cayman for their participation, financial contributions and support every year,” Wright said.
Along with their annual initiatives, the Cancer Society will be hosting the first-ever, ‘World Cancer Day Candlelight Vigil’ which will be held at the water fountain in Camana Bay on Sunday, 4 Feb. at 6pm.
“Light up Lavender, Lavender on the Rocks, and Lavender for Love-Carnation sale are all important “World Cancer Day” events as they will offer residents an opportunity to support the Cancer Society, bring awareness to the need for a mandatory cancer registry in Cayman, and encourage residents to become active in the fight against cancer,” Wright said.
She noted Cayman Island is the only country in the western hemisphere that does not have a mandatory government-supported cancer registry.
“[The] Cayman [Islands] Cancer Registry was established in 2010, but is not mandatory. [The] Cayman Islands Cancer Society is pushing to have a mandatory Cancer Register to gain insight into our community cancer population, trends and treatment needs,” she said.
Companies and individuals are invited to join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #WorldCancerDay and #Closethecaregap; volunteer or donate to the Cancer Society; get regular medical checkups and prescreening; and to take care of their body by eating healthy.
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