Belize Cancer Society Gears up to observe Cancer Awareness Month With Advocacy Push

The month of October is observed globally as Cancer Awareness Month. At home, the Belize Cancer Society’s objective is to continue their advocacy and public education that early detection has saved and continues to save lives. Love News spoke with Kim Simplis Barrow, president of the society,
about the preparations.

Kim Simplis Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society: “On the 16th of October we’re having our Pinktober Pink Power Health Expo and there we will bring together a number of organizations that focus a lot on NCDs. We’re doing this in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization, WHO, Ministry of Health and Wellness, and the Special Envoy’s Office. The Ministry of Health will be providing services like ultrasound exams for those who would want to get an exam. We have an empowerment area where we’ll have fireside chats with a number of panelists. We’ll have some mental health support area. We’ll have an area for young children to do some arts and crafts and a lot more. I think it would be good to have people come out.”

Many events mark the celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including the official flag raising ceremony, which symbolizes hope, solidarity and national commitment. The flag raising early morning will give way to the late evening vigil.

Kim Simplis Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society: “At the vigil that we’ll be having on October 1st at 5.30 p.m., we will be lighting up our building. We will have guest speakers, survivors who will be speaking. We will have some entertainment and reflections, you know, of especially those who have walked this path. And we’re encouraging everyone to come out and lend your support and bring your pink ribbon, bring a candle, and light it with us.”

The work of the Belize Cancer Society dates back almost three decades, thanks to the pioneering spirit of the late Juliet Soberanis.