The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams congratulated the large crowd on the Boardwalk after the Pink Parade opening of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Friday.
The Prime Minister thanked the crowd for heeding the call to walk with the pink parade as the kick off of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. "In a very special way I want to say a word of appreciation to not only those who have organized this event with such passion and dedication but specifically to these four women on my right who are standing here this afternoon as survivors of breast cancer," commented the Prime Minister. "There are only four of them standing here but we know that there are so many more who have been affected by breast cancer on St. Maarten and some of them are suffering as we stand here tonight. To them we say keep up the fight and indeed we are fighting right next to them. Recognizing the seriousness of the disease and the steps out there that can be taken to combat it is our most important task. We are making St. Maarten aware of what it means to have breast cancer and what we can do to make sure dedication happens early," commented the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of women to get tested for the disease. "I thank all of the companies that have allowed their employees to participate. This day is about telling the people of St. Maarten that we understand what it means to have breast cancer and what the survivors are going through. We also should say a word of prayer this month for those those who have succumbed to the illness."
The Prime Minister also thanked Government Workers in particular; " I thank you for coming out in such a grand force because this is about leading by example and showing that we care. And today you have indeed led by example and showed that you indeed care."
The PM continued by stating that she herself is product of a breast cancer survivor. "My mother of ninety-one years is alive today because of a breast cancer operation and early detection. Today technology is so much more advanced so it is about getting tested and spreading the message. We cannot prevent breast cancer but we can make sure that those who have are checked and tested and get the necessary treatment out there and these women here with me are the result of that. Please give yourselves a round of applause," concluded the Prime Minister.