The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net 

A special fun day organised by Cancer Society of the Bahamas and 100 Jamz for children battling cancer and sickle cell disease was nothing short of inspiring, according to the organisers.

Some 20 children who are a part of the Freedom Kids programme were invited to Radio House on Shirley Street, the home of 100 Jamz, last Saturday to be educated and entertained.

Throughout the day, youngsters participated in arts and crafts activities and had the opportunity to learn and exercise their disc jockey skills. 

“It was really a good day and the parents also had a good time,” said 100 Jamz on-air personality JJ McKenzie.

“It was an awesome day. I just have to say I am so proud to have been a part of such a great group of people here at 100 Jamz. DJ Fines, Xtra Large, Xcitement were just absolutely amazing. DJ Fines and Xtra Large did the actual workshop, which went extremely well. They were just so amazing and the kids just had such a great time.”

The fun day was such a success that organisers are considering hosting it on an annual basis. 

“I am very glad that we did that and I think we are going to have to make this an annual thing. We are definitely going to do it again because the kids had too much fun,” Ms McKenzie said.

Freedom Kids is a social, support and education programme for kids with cancer or sickle cell disease. It is under the umbrella of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas and sponsored by the Lyford Cay Foundation.

Melissa Major, the programme’s coordinator, told Tribune Health that the aim of Freedom Kids is to provide ongoing and practical hands-on support for the children while offering support to their parents at the same time.

Entertainers like Bahamian Tre, Fadda Fred and Spicy Dee were also on hand to make sure the event was as fun as possible for the kids. 

“We want to send a very special thank you to Bahamian Tre, Faddah Fred and Spicy Dee. They were so great with the kids. They were doing arts and crafts and they were talking to them and painting with them,” said Ms Major.

“It was really great to see young men in that age group as teenagers taking the time to spend with younger children.

For more information or to donate to the programme, contact the Cancer Society of the Bahamas at 323-4441.