The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

IF FOUR people who ordinarily spend a minimum of $5 a day on lunch take a packed lunch to work instead for a period of 10 days, the accumulated funds could pay for one Bahamian woman to undergo testing for the genes associated with breast cancer.

This idea is the basis of a new programme set for launch in a matter of weeks by the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Foundation (BBCIF).

The Brown Bag Initiative kicks off on May 5 and is a fundraising challenge for teams.

The organisation is recruiting teams of four to take the 10-day challenge to pack their lunches instead of purchasing them, and donating the money they save to BBCIF.

At the end of 10 days, each team will have saved $200 – the cost of one woman’s BRCA gene test.

The foundation believes packing lunches for two work weeks is a small price to pay to save someone’s life. It is also encouraging larger businesses to have competitions among their teams. Smaller groups may choose to take turns bringing in lunch for their teams.

Registration for The Brown Bag Initiative begins on Tuesday, April 22.

Alicia Wallace, executive assistant of BBCIF, said the The Brown Bag Initiative is in its second year, and the organisation hopes to get a much bigger response from the public this time around.

“We did it on a smaller scale last year; it was a soft launch and it was just about testing the waters in terms of we did it,” she said.

“We probably had about four teams last year. Our goal this year is to get about 50 teams to participate. We do believe we will get that level of participation this year because we have connected with other various business establishments and organisations that have worked closely with us in the past.”

Ms Wallace said they intend to encourage friendly competition among the various organisations.

She said recipes and meal ideas will also be posted on the foundation’s website in the days leading up to the challenge and during the challenge.

“We also encourage participants to send photos of their teams and their lunches to be shared on our website and Facebook page,” she said.

The BBCIF is best known for its genetic testing and counselling programme through which the organisation offers testing for BRCA gene mutations free of charge.

According to the organisation’s website, “genetic testing can determine if you carry a mutation that causes hereditary breast cancer. If you test positive for a mutation, your risk for cancer is increased. There are options available for lowering your cancer risk and for detecting cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. A saliva sample is required for these tests, and genetic counselling is recommended before and after the tests.”

“Twenty-three per cent of Bahamian women diagnosed with breast cancer carry a BRCA gene mutation,” Ms Wallace said.

“The prevalence of the BRCA gene mutations in general population of the Bahamas is likely two to five per cent compared to the US where it is 1 in 800.”

According to Ms Wallace, genetic testing often costs between $3,000 and $4,000.

This year, BBCIF is focused on breast cancer education and prevention, said executive director Melissa Major.

“BBCIF is not just here to provide testing for the BRCA gene mutations. We are increasing breast cancer awareness, encouraging regular testing as recommended by doctors, and promoting healthy lifestyles.”

BBCIF recently teamed up with MacFit360 fitness centre during the months February and March to offer weekly boot camp sessions at a drop-in rate of $20 with part of the proceeds going to BBCIF’s research programme.

Ms Wallace said BBCIF will host a number of events throughout the year that will help educate Bahamians on breast cancer, early prevention and testing.

“We do have some other things we are planning for the remainder of the year. We are big on education and early prevention. The boot camp was to help people get active. We will partner with food stores and gyms so that people can have education on the things that are in their food. We are trying to form healthy habits so we are hoping that people continue with The Brown Bag Initiative,” she said.