The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

and FARRAH JOHNSON

THE Cancer Society of The Bahamas yesterday launched its $3m building fund campaign with hopes of constructing the country’s first hospice care facility to assist cancer patients.

The Cancer Society wants to expand the organisation’s existing Cancer Caring Centre to house an additional 16 rooms to assist with the client load currently experienced at the 10-room centre.

Society founder Susan Roberts said the group wants to ensure that there is sufficient space for patients that need a “home away from home” during extended treatment.

Mrs Roberts said the overall hope of her organisation is to “touch a chord” with persons who “understand the importance and appreciate how difficult it is to tell people, ‘sorry, no space in the inn, you must wait’.”

“Increased screening and improved education result in more persons being diagnosed earlier, meaning their chances for survival are greater and the role of this centre continues to grow,” she said.

More than 800 patients have passed through Cancer Caring Centre since the facility opened its doors in 2006.

Mrs Roberts explained that the expansion would include space for hospice care, which “enables the patient to live out their last days in the greatest comfort possible.”

Vice-president of the Cancer Society Dr Williamson Chea said the Cancer Caring Centre has provided comfort, care and resources for “those who need it when they need it most.”

“For patients from the Family Islands, this centre can mean the difference between life and death, providing a place for patients to stay when they come to Nassau for chemotherapy, radiation or other follow-up testing and treatment.

“Without this home away from home, many would be unable to undergo treatment that could save their lives.”

Cancer survivors Sandra Lightbourne and Nicole Lewis-Rolle, resilient residents of the Cancer Caring Centre, shared their inspirational stories yesterday. They explained how their lives were dramatically changed for the better, with the help of the Cancer Caring Centre.

Mrs Lightbourne, a 51-year-old resident of Grand Bahama, discovered a 30lb tumour in her leg and was rushed to New Providence on an emergency flight.

After spending almost three months in the hospital, she still required additional medical treatment in the capital.

The Cancer Caring Centre provided living accommodations for Mrs Lightbourne and her husband. She said the care at the facility resembled the feeling of “being at home”.

Mrs Lewis-Rolle, a resident of Eleuthera, said the facility is a “life saver” that helped her through her healing process.

“I’ve come from the Family Islands (for treatment) and I know there are others just like me,” she added.

According to structural plans for the 16-room expansion, the centre aims to build an adjoining complex onto its existing structure that also houses the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative Foundation along with meeting and counselling rooms.

Each room has two beds, one for the patient and one for a family member who acts as a caregiver in addition to providing company.

A national telethon scheduled for May 31 at Atlantis is expected to be the “largest contribution pipeline” for the building fund.