The Tribune

Decked out in pink to show their support of breast cancer awareness, more than 200 guests attended the fifth annual Pretty in Pink Party hosted by members of the Inner Wheel Club of East Nassau held at John Bull’s flagship store last Wednesday.

The shop was closed exclusively to party guests for two hours, and ladies enjoyed pampering, a raffle which included certificates for mammograms, champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and live music by the Ira Storr and the Spank Band as they shopped all in aid of raising funds to assist the Cancer Society with their ongoing cancer screenings for breast and prostate cancer in the Family Islands.

Even with all the entertainment and highlights, Kelly Meister, member of the Inner Wheel Club of East Nassau, said the message of the evening and the importance of supporting breast cancer awareness was the primary reason guests attended.

Breast cancer, she said, is affecting women in the Bahamas at an alarming and increasing rate, and one of the best methods of beating the disease is through early detection.

“That important message was repeated throughout the evening to encourage ladies to make mammograms and breast screenings an important part of their yearly medical checkups,” she said.

Inner Wheel Club of East Nassau is a non-profit women’s charitable organisation that is affiliated with Rotary. Their events raise money for several other non-profit organisations.

One patron, Martina McSweeney, said: “Unfortunately, one of my dearest friends fought the disease for several years so it was important to me to attend in support of her memory and to help create awareness.”

Bahamian artist and Tribune cartoonist Jamaal Roll, who is famous for his celebrity portraits, also supported the event by creating a painting live at Pretty In Pink, using only MAC makeup products as paint. The painting served as a raffle prize that helped to raise money for the cause.

“It’s important for artists to give back to the community. For Inner Wheel and John Bull to invite me to be a part of this amazing event is pretty special and I couldn’t say no to an initiative that is so meaningful,” said Jamaal.

Nancy Cash, president of the Inner Wheel Club of East Nassau, believes the Bahamas has an unusually high rate of breast cancer, particularly hereditary breast cancer. The club’s goal is to raise funds to assist the Cancer Society in the area of early detection especially.

“We sincerely thank John Bull for allowing us to host our party once again in their beautiful store and for their generous support of this cause. We are so delighted to see the large turnout again this year supporting our efforts. Unfortunately, many of our members have personally been affected by breast cancer or their family members have fought the disease. We hope that our effort will help many detect breast and cancer early which ultimately saves lives,” she said.

Fred Hazelwood, president of the John Bull Group of Companies, said John Bull did not hesitate in teaming up with the Inner Wheel Club of East Nassau in support of this important event. “Cancer has affected my family and now more than ever we want to create awareness. It’s important as a Bahamian company that we support initiatives that are helping to fight this disease,” he said.

Since corporate social responsibility is at the core of John Bull’s corporate culture, Inga Bowleg, director of Business Development for John Bull, said the company was delighted to have provided the venue in support of Inner Wheel’s fundraising initiative

“We definitely share the passion these ladies have for the cause as John Bull Group of Companies also supports the work of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas,” she said.