The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SARAH St George, vice-chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said that she would definitely endorse an oncology centre in Grand Bahama after having learned that 50 per cent of the cancer patients being treated in Nassau are from Grand Bahama.

Despite the high cancer rate in the country’s second city, there is still no facility on the island that provides chemotherapy treatment to cancer patients.

“I was not aware that we did not have an oncology centre in Grand Bahama, and there are no current means of carrying out a chemotherapy programme, which to me seems just so elemental in battling these cancers, and especially breast cancer which is so prevalent here,” she said.

In support of the cancer initiative “Pinktober”, Ms St George made a cheque donation to members of the committee on Wednesday at the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

The Pinktober Committee held a number of activities and events in Freeport during the month of October to raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise funds to assist the three local cancer organisations.

Linda Malcolm, founder of Pinktober; Lauren Miller of the Grand Bahama Cancer Society; Jackie Frazer of Sister, Sister; and Norma Headley of the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama were present.

Ms St George commended the women and their organisations for their tireless effort in the fight against cancer, education, and their support of cancer survivors and those afflicted with the disease.

“They are not just pretty faces, they are doing a lifesaving fundamental critical work which is raising awareness throughout the community, the entire Bahamas and hopefully the whole Caribbean of this breast cancer.

“Without the right approach to it, you tend to give up and everyone needs to know they are not alone.

“It (cancer) is prevalent in Grand Bahama and we learned that it affects not just those over 50, but young women now; and not just women, but men as well.”

Asked whether the GBPA would endorse an oncology centre, she said: “Well, I think that is now on the table… but I would personally endorse it; it is something I would very much like to see happen.”

Ms St George said it is sad that so many people in Grand Bahama have to travel away from their homes and families to Nassau for treatment.

“I learned that 50 per cent of the beds in Nassau are occupied by people from Grand Bahama; they are allowed to take a family member with them but obviously they would like to be with their whole family; so that would be something that we would be striving towards and working together, and we would definitely like to be a big part of that. I am sure we can make that happen,” she said.

Linda Malcolm thanked Ms St George and the GBPA for its donation. The two-time breast cancer survivor said breast cancer is a serious disease as women as early as 16 years are being affected.

She has said that an oncology centre is needed on Grand Bahama because in addition to treatment, it is very expensive to pay for accommodation, transportation, and other incidentals.