Brave women battle cancer

CANCER. The very term is like a death sentence to not only the persons afflicted, but also to their families, some of whom have to endure the agony of watching a loved one suffer through their final moments. Or, if the family can afford, look on helplessly as their loved one is forced to endure an equally horrendous form of treatment: radiation. In Trinidad and Tobago, the scourge that is cancer, in all of its different manifestations, is the second leading cause of death. While treatment varies with the type of cancer diagnosed, at least one group of dedicated Trinidadian women — most of whom have had at least one family member struck down by the deadly disease — are determined to lead a fightback against the disease. The South/Central Group of the Associates of the Radiotherapy Centre (ARC), made up mostly of professional women is led by president Caroline Chankersingh who lost a close aunt to breast cancer.

Chankersingh, a financial consultant for one of the nation’s leading insurance firms, said that for most persons, just the news that someone has been diagnosed with cancer was similar to receiving “a death sentence.” “I remember when my aunt got the news, her entire demeanour changed,” Chankersingh said. “And it was not only her, but the entire family that was affected.” She pointed out that, according to statistics from the National Radiotherapy Centre, almost every household in this country has had a family member afflicted with cancer. “We are trying, in our own small way, to make a difference here in Trinidad and Tobago,” she said, pointing out that one of the objectives of the group was to assist the National Radiotherapy Centre. In full agreement was ARC (North) president Janet Worrell-Hicks, who said that the Organisation had three fully functional working committees: a fund-raising committee, a patient-care committee and an in-house committee.

Worrell-Hicks said the Organisation had, through its fund-raising events, already performed remedial work at the Centre including replacing all of its ceiling tiles, purchasing 25 chairs for patients’ use, repainting the clinic, ward and treatment areas and purchasing a video and television for “patient education.” The Group has also hosted a workshop for cancer survivors and their families. Hicks, who lost her step-father to cancer, said that the establishment of a volunteer system to provide physical and emotional support to patients and their families was among the Group’s top priorities. “However, one of our long-term goals is the establishment of a resource library,” she said. She added that, one of the most underutilised weapons in the war against cancer, “was education.” “Listen to your body, because early treatment can often times mean the difference between an extended life or an early death,” she said.  The ARC-South Central group, will be holding its Annual Charity Dinner and Dance at the Gulf City Auditorium this Saturday from 7.15 pm. The event is being held under the patronage of former First Lady, Mrs Zalayhar Hassanali. Expected to attend are San Fernando West MP Diane Seukeran and San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly. Tickets can be purchased from any member of ARC.