Saving Lives in the BVI
For the Grand Affair in 2008 we focused the fund-raising on "Saving Lives in the BVI." and one of the ways we wanted to affect this was through combating Cancer. Rtn: Terry Ellis (Photo by Jacqui Newton)
After the event, a cheque in the amount of $25,000 was donated from the Rotary Club of Tortola and placed into a Rotary Cancer Fund for combating Cancer in the territory. I was asked to spear head the committee and inducted Rtns. Orlando Smith, Robin Tattersall who are both doctors and PP Roger Downing, one of our cancer survivors. The members also assist in the supervision and development of a policy for the expenditure of the funds.
The committee agreed that the most effective use of the funds would be to focus on awareness and prevention, rather than treatment. We felt that there was a need for greater awareness of the dangers of colon cancer and the availability of early diagnosis and treatment through a colonoscopy.
Although colonoscopies are expensive, the doctors thought that there were hundreds of men in the BVI who can afford it or are covered by insurance, but do not have the test because they are not aware of its importance and its availability.
We decided to investigate the practicality of funding an awareness campaign, enlisting the cooperation and support of Eureka Clinic and