The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IN its ongoing effort to eliminate cancer in the Bahamas, the SMB Care Foundation will kick off a film fundraising series entitled “SMB Flicks” beginning tonight at 7pm.

The first film to be shown in the series is the critically acclaimed sci-fi feature “Ex Machina”. It will be screened at The Island House Cinema, Mahogany Hill Nassau.

The event will be held in support of the fight against colon cancer. The donation of $75 includes a curated menu of theatre treats as well as complimentary wine. Proceeds will help to provide free colonoscopies for high-risk individuals in need.

The SMB Care Foundation was created to assist in eliminating cancer in the Bahamas through providing financial assistance to those plagued by cancer and helping to enhance their quality of life, as well as engaging in health promotion, encouraging healthy lifestyles and providing information on primary prevention strategies to the Bahamian community.

Corey Bruney, SMB Care Foundation managing director, said the inspiration behind the organisation came from his mother, Dr Sharon Bascom-Bruney, who battled the disease for seven years before passing away in September of 2013. He said she was always a person who would put others before herself, no matter what. Mr Bruney said he wanted to continue with his mother’s selflessness and help the Bahamian public in avoiding the same fate she faced.

“It was a very long and hard battle that may have never happened had she been diagnosed earlier. Shortly after she passed I founded the Foundation in her name (Sharon Marilyn Bruney) with the intention of raising awareness for the disease,” he told Tribune Health.

“The need for more awareness of colon cancer hits home. Witnessing my mother battle colon cancer was almost unbearable at times. I want to help prevent as many people as possible from having to experience that and offer the much needed support for those who are currently battling colon cancer.”

After the organisation’s first fundraising event in November 2014, Mr Bruney consulted with Fusion IMC, a marketing and communications company, to help with their fundraising and outreach efforts. Tyrina Neely, the owner, suggested a number of fundraising ideas including this latest film series.

Mr Bruney said he particularly liked the idea of SMB Flicks because it has not been done in Nassau to his knowledge. He believes it is nice to have new events for Bahamians to enjoy.

Ms Neely told Tribune Health they are hoping to host the series several times a year because they realised that it is necessary that funds are raised and awareness is spread throughout the country.

“They wanted to do it in a way that was entertaining, so SMB Flicks is a ‘night out’ per se,” Ms Neely said. “So you are being educated on colon cancer and the risk and healthy living, but you are doing it in a way that focuses on entertainment. You can have a fun date night, a girls’ night out with your friends while contributing to a worthy cause. They chose the cinema at The Island House. It is the first venue and we will probably be using other venues as well for the screenings,” said Ms Neely.

Before working with the Foundation, Ms Neely said she had very limited knowledge of colon cancer and it was alarming for her to find out that it is the third deadliest cancer in the Bahamas.

“When I noticed that it affects our country and persons who are over 50 it really struck home because that’s my parents’, aunts; and uncles’ demographic. Anything that we can do to assist with raising awareness so that persons can get colonoscopies and regular checks, it is important to me. It is sort of like a moral obligation,” she said.

Colon cancer, Mr Bruney said, is a silent killer. The symptoms are not noticeable in the early stages and once they present themselves it is usually too late, which is the most dangerous thing about this disease. This is why he believes screening is so important, as this form of cancer is very preventable once it is caught early.

“Colon cancer is the third deadliest cancer in the Bahamas. Many people don’t know this. This is why we are trying to spread the word about it. Long term, we want to see a decrease in the number of occurrences; it’s preventable. We need to take it seriously. We need to get screenings early and hopefully this can reduce the number of late stage diagnoses. US guidelines say that screening should begin at 50 years of age, however, in the Bahamas research has shown that we should begin screening as early as 45 years of age,” Mr Bruney said.

In addition to SMB Flicks, Mr Bruney said they have printed and will distribute a free information booklet on colon cancer and how to prevent it in the coming weeks. Their second annual Shades of Blue fundraising event will also take place this year. He said this event in particular will be a great opportunity for people to come out and have a good time, but also learn more about the disease from people in the medical field.

For more information on the SMB Care Foundation, readers are encouraged to contact 502-9407 or e-mail smbcarefoundation@gmail.com.