The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IN CELEBRATION of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas’ 13th annual ball, Bahamians will dine and dance the night away under the theme, “Gliz, Glam and Giving”.

The black tie event will be held on May 31 at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort on Cable Beach, starting at 7 pm.

Gina Gonzalez-Rolle, a member of the Cancer Society and the Cancer Ball Committee, said the upcoming ball is one of the main fundraising events for the non-profit organisation.

Money raised through the ball will especially go towards the Cancer Caring Centre.

“The Cancer Society has the Cancer Caring Centre, which is a home away from home for cancer patients coming in from the Family Islands that don’t have the funds or means of getting here for treatment for cancer,” Mrs Gonzalez-Rolle said.

“Persons come and stay for free for as long as they have to do their treatments and see their doctors. They are fully taken care of by the Cancer Society, along with their caretakers that come along with them and help them as they go through their struggles.”

According to the Cancer Society’s website, the Cancer Caring Centre is known as a place where pain management is undertaken and medical attention is provided in a setting of beauty, tranquillity and personal freedom. It is a welcome relief for any cancer patient who has had to struggle alone.

The three-storey building is located adjacent to the present Cancer Society headquarters just off Collins Avenue, close to doctors and hospitals.

The building houses 10 rooms, each with a patio and garden view. The second floor rooms are reserved for Family Island patients staying in Nassau for short-term treatment. Residents are encouraged to participate in simple activities such as gardening or preparing meals, to stay active and maintain their self-esteem.

For the annual ball, Mrs Gonzalez-Rolle said they usually focus on a general message of hope, but this year the Society wanted to emphasise to its guests that they can be glamorous as they help support a good cause.

A member of the Cancer Society for many years, Mrs Gonzalez-Rolle said she has seen the annual ball grow in many ways.

“I think we do a lot more entertainment now than we used to before. The prizes are a big thing now; people come a lot for the prizes. And it seems to be a good event that people know to have good music, dining and decor. When you hear ‘ball’ you usually think of a gathering that attracts the older crowd. But we try to make it an event that people young and old can look forward to; to come out and dance and have a good time,” she said.

For the 13th edition of the Cancer Society Ball, guests can look forward to entertainment from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band, which will be playing for the cocktail reception, as well as performances from the Visage and Tingum Dem bands, which will play during the ball itself.

“We do this ball every year because it is one of the biggest fundraising events towards the funds that we raise for the Cancer Caring Centre. The centre costs us about an average of $1 million a year to take care of,” Mrs Gonzalez-Rolle.

“We are supposed to be adding on to the centre, but that won’t take place this year. There are plans in the making for expansion for sure.”

For the future, Mrs Gonzalez-Rolle said, the Society is looking forward to hosting a number of activities. Moreover, she said a lot of people have been informing them that whenever they go for treatment at this point, they are usually pointed towards the Cancer Society. So this has now put a bigger strain on the Cancer Society as far as giving and helping those in need.

However, Mrs Gonzalez-Rolle said they try to be there for as many people as they can, whenever they can.

“We are having a walk very shortly also. We try to do different events to raise funds because everyone is not all for the glitz and the glamour. Some people lean more towards the athletic and fitness side, so we try to do a little bit of everything so persons can choose what they want to be a part of,” she said.

“We just want to ask persons as much as possible to open their hearts to us and to those that are in need. Anyone having any doubts or concerns about the centre can come and walk through to see what we have to offer and the expense that we take on every year.”