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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Two of the cancer survivors accept their dinner tickets from executives at CHMI. From left are: Chef Sterling Thompson, Karen Sherman, COB student organizer; Dorna Moxey and Julia Saunders, COB staff members and breast cancer survivors, and Dr. Sophia Rolle, Acting Executive Director, CHMI.
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Nassau, Bahamas - No one wants to hear that they have breast cancer, and for those who do, having a supportive network of family and friends plays a key role in how they respond to treatment. Culinary students and faculty at The College of The Bahamas Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute (CHMI) recently demonstrated their support of cancer survivors by hosting some of them to an evening of fine dining at Choices Restaurant.
The guests of honour were employees of The College and members of the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group.
Culinary students at The College came up with the idea as a way to show the members of the College community that they are appreciated and valued. They also wanted to help raise awareness about the prevalence of breast cancer in The Bahamas.
“This is a way of us showing the cancer survivors at The College that they are important to us. We support the efforts of the Cancer Society and we certainly support [these survivors] being with us at The College,” Acting Executive Director of the Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute Dr. Sophia Rolle explained.
“Women are very strong and when they are afflicted with these kind of illnesses we ought to support them because women are the breadwinners in a lot of instances. They do a lot for us that we don’t even think about every day and we are very happy to be able to do this for the survivors who are at The College of The Bahamas,” she added.
October is observed internationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The disease is particularly rampant in the Bahamian population because of an aggressive genetic disorder. The BRCAI and BRCAII genes predispose an individual to developing cancer at a younger age. Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in The Bahamas.
Dorna Moxey, who works with the Libraries and Instructional Media Services department at The College, still remembers the day that she was told she had stage four breast cancer in 2010. She is a four-year cancer survivor who believes in the power of supportive family and friends.
“Trust God and if you don’t have a relationship with Him, seek Him and make Him a big part of your life. Once you have the support of friends and family in the community and workplace, it’s a good feeling to know that you are not alone,” she said. “Once you have the support of friends and family in your community and workplace it is a great support to know that you are not alone.”
Julia Saunders, who works at CHMI, was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in January 2013 at 46-years-old. Today, she is a staunch advocate for regular cancer screenings.
“I urge the public to get your checks, do your monthly self-exams. If there is a history in your family, you need to get your six-month checks with your doctor. I am so grateful to CHMI staff and students for putting on this event and I am looking forward to seeing my grandchildren grow up,” she said.
Both survivors acknowledge the despair and devastation that persons feel once they are made aware of their diagnosis, but they also acknowledged the good work and support of organizations like the Breast Cancer Society and the Sister Sister Support Group.
Students Karen Sherman and Wenessa Rolle helped to plan to special evening at CHOICES along with Chef Sterling Thompson. The sumptuous spread consisted of braised veal shank, grilled Atlantic salmon, cream of chicken soup and seafood en Croute. Chocolate Lava Cake topped off the meal.
© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com
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