The Tribune

By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

Cancer Society of The Bahamas founder Susan Roberts has been honoured by the Queen in being named the 38th Commonwealth Point of Light.

Mrs Roberts was chosen for this honour due to her “exceptional” volunteer work supporting cancer patients and their families.

Her efforts to expand public education about the disease also contributed to her selection.

The Commonwealth Points of Light is a programme that recognises an inspirational volunteer from each of the Commonwealth countries in the 52 weekdays leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on April 19-20.

Mrs Roberts was selected as the Bahamas representative. She founded the Cancer Society in 1976 and the Cancer Caring Centre in 2004.

Over the years, the centre has housed more than 1,000 patients from the Family Islands who had to travel to Nassau to seek medical treatment. Furthermore, Mrs Roberts is seeking to raise $3m to expand the centre so it can add a hospice and day care unit.

Along with her team of volunteers, Mrs Roberts has led national campaigns to encourage people to sign up for prostate and breast cancer screenings. She has also raised money for scholarships so Bahamians can study oncology-related research abroad.

As a Commonwealth Point of Light, Mrs Roberts received a personalised certificate signed by the Queen as head of the Commonwealth.

High Commissioner Asif Ahmad, CMG, British High Commissioner to Jamaica and The Bahamas, presented Mrs Roberts with the award during a Commonwealth lunch in Nassau.

Of the remarkable achievement, Mrs Roberts said: “I am extremely honoured to receive the Commonwealth Points of Light Award as a volunteer working with the Cancer Society of The Bahamas.

“I accept this award on behalf of the many volunteers who work with our society and all cancer patients and family members on the difficult journey. The society in its 42 years has achieved much but there is still so much to do.”

High Commissioner Ahmad praised Mrs Roberts, saying: “I am honoured to have presented Susan with this award in the Bahamas.

“Her service and dedication to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas is a true example of community spirit and volunteerism. Having met Susan, I have no doubt that we have made the right choice.”