The Positive Foundation and the Elektralyte Foundation are collaborating with the St. Joseph School in order to raise breast cancer awareness this weekend.
This event, which has been scheduled for Saturday, October 22, will take place at the St. Joseph School on Frontstreet, between the hours of 10am-2pm.
Shelly Alphonso, president of the Positive Foundation said that during the open house free clinical breast examinations would be conducted by Dr. Ruth Douglas. Students from the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) would also be on hand to provide demonstrations on how to do breast self examinations (bse). Alphonso further explained that in order to reach as many women as possible DVD presentations of bse would also be shown in both English and Spanish. Finally free bse shower guides would be distributed throughout the day.
Alphonso said that she is encouraging all women to come out and make use of the opportunity to have themselves checked and expressed gratitude to the St. Joseph School for partnering with the foundations on this venture. She also reminded businesses that foundation representatives were available to present demonstrations to their staff and urged them to get in contact with her at 580-9658/580-9005 or positivefoundation@caribeserve.net.
Alphonso explained that during the last two weeks of this year’s campaign the foundations would still be engaged with a lot of activities and events promoting breast cancer awareness. She said that there were scheduled school visits and demonstrations planned at various businesses, but also the Breast Cancer Awareness Movie Night scheduled for Wednesday, October 26 at Caribbean Cinemas, the Breast Cancer Awareness High Heel Race, which will be held on Friday, October 28 at the Boardwalk and the PINK PARADE 2, on the French side of the island, on Sunday, October 30.
Alphonso also issued a reminder to all women on the island about the free medical screenings which were being provided across the Dutch side throughout the month of October. She said that tests were still available at the following places at the listed times: Friday, October 21; Dr. Bryson Clinic, Dutch Quarter, 2-4pm, Saturday, October 22; Bush Road Medical Clinic, Bush Road, 9-11am, Wednesday, October 26; Family Medical Center, Cay Hill, 9-11am, Dr. H. Deketh, Maho, 9-11am, Saturday, October 29; Bush Road Medical Clinic, 9-11am, Dr. Spencer, 10am-12pm.
Both foundations are encouraging women to take advantage of every opportunity to get themselves examined.
"Get Checked, breast screening is at your fingertips and breast screening saves lives. Early detection remains the best protection against this deadly disease. We cannot say this enough and we doing our best to get the word out there. Now we need the support of community," Alphonso said.