Cancer Concern and partners bring awareness campaign to Eden Plaza |03 November 2020
Cancer Concern Association (CCA) in collaboration with Falcon Insurance and Eden’s business community held a cancer awareness charity event at Eden Plaza on Saturday, with the aim of raising awareness about cancer and raising funds towards the association.
The event, which lasted up to 2pm, saw Eden Plaza transformed into a sea of pink, buzzing with more activity than usual.
Numerous participating businesses had on offer an array of trinkets, tokens and keepsakes to suit all ages, while activities for the little ones included face and body painting, among others.
“October is pink month whereby we showcase breast cancer and focus on raising awareness about breast cancer. With the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been restricted to one day and we chose today with Eden Plaza and Falcon Insurance, who has contributed hugely,” secretary of CCA, Gina Laporte, said.
“We brought the breast screening as well as the activities to raise funds to be donated to CCA, and to also bring health to Eden. A lot of people want to come in and just do their shopping so we have to work extra hard to stop people and get them on board with us. But for something that has just been planned, it is being executed wonderfully,” Ms Laporte added.
To facilitate screening, the Euromedical Family Clinic, located at the Plaza itself, opened its doors to the association and health professionals from the Health Care Agency (HCA), of the Ministry of Health who assisted with the process. Three specific screening levels were available, at no cost, namely, breast cancer screening, prostate screening for the males, and pap smear tests on appointment at another clinic, on account that laboratory services were not operational on the day.
“As breast cancer is a condition which is increasingly becoming more common in Seychelles, we are getting many more cases of breast cancer, it is always necessary that we raise awareness. We would like that cases are detected early, as if this is the case, the person’s chances are much better,” asserted Peggy Vidot, chairperson of CCA.
Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in Seychelles. Over recent years, roughly 40 women are diagnosed with breast cancer per month, and unfortunately, about a dozen lose the battle to cancer.
Celia Ponzo, a young woman, seized the opportunity to have a free screening on Saturday.
“I think prevention is always very important, so I am a big advocate for prevention rather than waiting for something to happen and then starting screenings. I think we should focus on the prevention of some diseases, especially breast cancer. Everything is fine, so I have nothing to worry about, even though I have some breast cancer in the family, I monitor myself monthly, so everything should be fine,” Ms Ponzo stated.
Saturday’s event was also an opportunity for many to address their concerns and queries, either directly to the health professionals conducting the screening, who provided information and tips on self-screening processes, or from the panel of qualified doctors, nutritionists and pharmacists on hand with information about leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Infinity Fitness Zumba Group, Hope for kids, cancer survivor Jean-Luc Rose, better-known as J.RoyaL, Jade Jolene and Kayne were also around to pull in the shoppers and members of the public with their captivating performances.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the awareness charity event at the Eden Plaza on Saturday.
Laura Pillay
