From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
BTC Donates Free Mammograms to Help Spread Awareness of Cancer Prevention Techniques
By Serena Williams
Oct 31, 2014 - 6:03:12 AM
BTC CEO Leon Williams presents Sister Sister President Andrea Sweeting with a gift for the organisation. The funds will go toward providing chemotherapy ports for recently diagnosed breast cancer patients.
|
NASSAU, the Bahamas - BTC is helping further
spread the word that mammograms can help save lives. Marking Cancer
Awareness month, free mammogram vouchers are being given away through
October 31st at all BTC Retail stores, with purchase of broadband or
fixed line ‘phone service. The offer does not extend to the
neighbourhood (franchise) stores. The vouchers are redeemable for free
mammograms at The Breast Centre at The Medical Pavilion on Collins
Avenue in Nassau.
Those who are not currently seeking broadband
or fixed line service are encouraged to apply via BTC’s social media
sites, where an additional 25 mammogram vouchers will be distributed.
Those interested for themselves or to nominate someone, should submit a
photo and 100 words or a 30 second video stating the need for the
mammogram online at btcsocialmedia@btcbahamas.com by October 29th 2014.
BTC presented cheques to The Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative
Foundation (BBCIF) and the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group at
an event at the Mall at Marathon where The BBCIF showcased their 2015
wall calendar featuring many cancer survivors. BTC purchased 20
calendars for the corporate offices and retail stores. Calendars will
also be on sale at BTC’s Marathon and Southwest Plaza locations
throughout the week; proceeds will be added to ongoing fund raising
efforts.
Sister Sister representative Andrea Sweeting, who is
also a model for the BBCIF calendar, said that her organisation was
grateful for the funds and the support.
“Partnering with BTC is
truly awesome. BTC has been supporting Sister Sister for several years,
but this year they have really stepped it up and we are grateful.
We
are only as good as the wonderful corporate citizens who donate. When
companies like BTC give funds, we are able to assist persons who
otherwise may not be able to assist themselves.”
BTC CEO Leon
Williams urged both men and women to seek screenings early and
throughout life, and spoke of his own family’s medical struggle; he
commended the ongoing work and dedication of the many cancer care
organizations.
“I remember when Sister Sister’s Andrea Sweeting
first pinned my lapel seven years ago when BTC sponsored their great
efforts.”
BTC Senior Vice President of Customer Operations,
Patricia Walters, who spearheaded the initiative, said that as prevalent
as breast cancer is, BTC is hoping the promotion will encourage
customers to have a Mammogram.
“It is quoted internationally that
one in eight persons is impacted by breast cancer. In my experience, it
unfortunately seems more likely to be one in five in our region. Breast
cancer does not discriminate, woman or man, young or old; the youngest
survivor on the BBCIF calendar is 23. It is known that early detection
and treatment is best for recovery options and BTC, together with our
partners, is proud to be able to support early detection by making
available 275 mammograms to the women of The Bahamas. Nothing would be
more satisfying to us than knowing that at least one life is positively
impacted by this initiative.” Ms. Walters added that to draw attention
to the initiative, the staff is encouraged to wear something pink
through October 31st.
The Medical Pavilion where the free
mammogram vouchers are being honoured, houses separate medical
facilities interlinked via ownership, management and discipline: the
Cancer Centre, The Imaging and Breast Centres, The Bahamas Heart Centre,
The Dialysis Centre and The Bahamas Chest Centre Medical Lab and
Pharmacy among them.
Dr. Tom McGowan, Director of the Cancer
Centre at the Medical Pavilion stated that teaming up with BTC to
increase awareness is a major step in the battle against cancer
country-wide.
“What this
partnership signifies is no one person or organisation can treat and
combat breast cancer, it takes a lot of people, a whole community to
fight this. It takes an organisation like BTC to provide the reach and
spread awareness, it takes advocacy groups, it takes support groups, and
it takes doctors all working together.”
Dr. McGowan added that
if there is only one message that customers take away from this
campaign it should be that early detection is key to winning the fight
against cancer.
“The best way to treat breast cancer and the best
way to ensure a cure is to diagnose early. There is only so much we can
do when it is diagnosed late,” the doctor explained.
“It is
particularly important here in The Bahamas because there is a breast
cancer gene which is unique to the Bahamas and increases the risk here.
So if anyone has a relative that has breast cancer, and most here do,
it’s imperative that they get screened. If it is a close relative, and
especially if it is a male, screening should begin as early as 30 years
old.”
Dr. McGowan mentioned that BTC voucher holders, men and
women, are also invited to a social evening at the Medical Pavilion on
October 31st to mark the end of Cancer Awareness month. The evening will
offer additional information on cancer awareness and early detection,
and will offer free tours of the complete medical facility.
A BBCIF Volunteer (center) strikes a pose with Dr. Tim McGowan, Director of the Cancer Centre at The Medical Pavilion, and BTC CEO Leon Williams after receiving a gift from BTC.
|
BTC Senior Vice President of Customer Operations, Patricia Walters, joins in the festivities, getting her face painted in support of breast cancer survivors. Ms. Walters spearheaded BTC’s breast cancer awareness activities.
|
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com -