The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A NUMBER of events are planned to commemorate “Pinktober”, a major cancer marketing initiative that runs during the month of October to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for three local cancer organisations on Grand Bahama.

Linda Hepburn-Malcolm, Pinktober founder and recurring cancer survivor, is hoping to raise in excess of $250,000 with the help of corporate Grand Bahama and donors from throughout the country.

The funds will provide help and give hope to persons affected by breast cancer through early detection, education, support services, care and treatment.

Mrs Malcolm, a two-time recurring breast cancer survivor, said Pinktober’s goal is to also foster unity among the various cancer organisations on the island.

Supporters of Pinktober include Lenell Albury of Sister, Sister Grand Bahama; Lauren Miller of the Cancer Society of Grand Bahama, and Norma Headley of the Grand Bahama Cancer Association.

“We are hoping this will unify us all for one month; we are hoping to move forward in a unified way because we are fighting for the same cause,” said Mrs Malcolm at Monday’s press conference at the Pelican Bay Resort.

“Hopefully with this effort, we can get the Grand Bahama community more involved in helping us… not only conquering cancer, but finding a cure ultimately.”

The incidences of cancer, particularly among young women in Grand Bahama, are a serious concern.

Mrs Malcolm noted that the age of cancer diagnosis has been lowered and young girls from age 15 are now being diagnosed.

“We had an incident last year where a young girl from East End has died from cancer, which is so prevalent now in our country. We don’t know what the contributing factors are; some say it is environmental, some say it is genetics; I think this needs to be addressed and we need to place a lot of research on breast cancer in The Bahamas.”

Mrs Malcolm said that there is no chemotherapy lab in Grand Bahama and it is very expensive for persons, especially those without insurance, to travel to New Providence or Florida for costly treatments.

“We need to establish a unified foundation that would take care of and address these expenses,” she added.

“We are appealing to the Grand Bahama community, particularly corporate Grand Bahama, to assist us because we need funds to help in this regard,” she said.

Mrs Malcolm said early detection is critical.

“My cancer was caught at an early stage and I was very aggressive in dealing with it. I got a bilateral mastectomy although it was not necessary at the time, and two or three years later it recurred again in the same breast even with having a mastectomy,” she said.

Karen Ferguson-Bain, communications director, said Pinktober will kickoff its calendar of events on September 30 with a pink candlelight vigil at Taino Beach at 6pm.

On October 1, a mix and mingle will be held at Pelican Bay Resort then on October 3 there will be a prayer breakfast on the lawn of the Royal Oasis at 7am.

A hold cancer walk is set for October 3 and a society ball on October 17.

On October 11 there will be a pledge-a-thon for donations and the next day a retreat is planned at Independence Park, where there will be marching bands and food vendors.

On October 24, there will be a “Stiletto Strut Walk” event, beginning at the Royal Oasis lawn. There also will be ‘VIPink Party’.

On October 30, Pinktober will culminate with Pink Parade (Halloween) Fest with live music and entertainment.

Pinktober has received major support from the Grand Bahama Power Company, which is the title sponsor. Other corporate sponsors are Harcourt Development, Higgs & Johnson and Graham Thompson & Co.