BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, October 31, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, while underscoring the importance of self-examinations, has made a passionate appeal to the general public that awareness on breast cancer should not end at the end of October which is observed as the Breast Cancer Awareness month.
“Today we walked with the Essence of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation as they bring a close to their activities for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2020,” said the Hon Byron-Nisbett on Saturday October 31 at the Frigate Bay lawns at the end of the 2020 edition of Pink Walk held under the theme ‘Mask Up While We Unmask Breast Cancer’ which had started at the parking lots of Caribbean Cinemas in West Basseterre.
Hon Byron-Nisbett, who walked all the way braving unexpected brief showers along the way, observed that October was packed with activities, especially as it related to Essence of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, noting that she had participated in a panel discussion with them on ZIZ as they brought awareness on breast cancer.
“As the Minister of Health, as I have been saying all month, I am just encouraging persons to remember that they need to continue to do their own self-exams, because prevention is better and the early detection, rather, is what is going to save lives,” observed the Honourable Minister.
At the Ministry of Health, the Hon Byron-Nisbett commented, they have been encouraging persons to learn how to do their own self-exams, even if it means going to any of the health centres where nurses will teach them how to do self-exams.
“The earlier you detect a lump, or anything that is out of place, the easier and better it will be for them to be able to find a solution to be able to help you with whatever medication or treatment or whatever needs to be done,” said Minister Byron-Nisbett.
She added: “We do not want the awareness to end here on October 31st, but rather we want everyone to continue to be mindful of it, and it is not just women – it is also men too, because men can suffer from breast cancer. So we just want to encourage everyone to do self-exams. Detect early – early detection is what will save lives.”
Joining Minister Akilah Byron-Nisbett on the 2020 Pink Walk were Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Shawn Richards, Minister of Education the Hon Jonel Powell, Ambassador His Excellency Kevin ‘Ninky’ Williams and Mrs Prunela Williams, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr William Vincent Hodge, among others.
Star of the 2020 Pink Walk was wheelchair-bound 79-year-old Mrs Sylvia Duggins, who was assisted by her son Mr Vincent Fough from the vicinity of Gillards Gas Station to the Frigate Bay lawns. The grandmother, who was accompanied by two of her granddaughters, defied the unexpected showers by turning down her son’s request that he take her into his vehicle. A veteran of the 2018 and 2019 Pink Walks, Mrs Duggins turns 80 on November 20.
“As usual the Essence of Hope Breast Cancer Awareness 2020 Pink Walk had quite a great turnout and we are happy that persons continue to see the importance of supporting and being a part of this initiative to raise awareness,” said the Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Bryon-Nisbett. “We are looking forward to not just ending the awareness on October 31st, but continued awareness throughout the entire year.”
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, September 6, 2020 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Ambassador His Excellency Kevin ‘Ninky’ Williams held a well-attended and successful Back-2-School event on Saturday September 5 where he distributed school supplies and snacks to pupils of the four primary schools in Constituency Number Six.
The school supplies distribution held at the Newton Ground, St. Paul’s, Dieppe Bay, and Saddlers Primary Schools was well attended by students and their parents, and Prime Minister Dr the Timothy Harris who came to lend support to Ambassador Williams praised parents in Constituency Number Six for being visible in the lives of their children.
“I want to congratulate Ambassador Kevin Williams for taking the initiative today, and to ensure that the students from Number Six who will be going out to school next week, are better equipped to do so,” said Prime Minister Harris who assisted in the distribution of school supplies at the Saddlers Primary School.
He noted that the distribution of satchels, exercise books, and several other educational supplies would be beneficial as it would take that expenditure off the parents and significant adults in the lives of the children. The act would at the same time incentivise the children as they will be put in a better frame of mind regarding going back to schools which open on Monday September 7, but the students will report on Wednesday September 9.
“I want to thank the young people of Number Six who have given tremendous support to this initiative to Ambassador Williams for coming out today, and organising for the large turnout we have had everywhere which tells us that this programme is one which has high demand,” commented Dr Harris. “It meets the felt needs of the people and we will want it to go stronger and better year after year.”
The Prime Minister thanked the organisers of the Back-2-School activity who assisted Ambassador Williams in organising such a highly successful event which was not only attended by the students, but their parents as well who ensured that the children came out and took part, which he noted was as a good sign.
“Based on the science, the more parents are involved in the educational life of their children the more interested the students are,” observed Prime Minister Harris. “So we need to see parents visible at every function of the school, at its assembly when this is permissible, the sports field, and at the PTA meetings. All these activities, in which parents are engaged help enthuse children to learning more; learning more quickly and having a more satisfying experience.”
Ambassador Williams who is Team Unity’s caretaker for Constituency Number Six and who ran in the June 5 General Election was one of the three Peoples Labour Party (PLP) candidates, the others being Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris in Number Seven, and Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett in Number Three. Prime Minister Harris is the National Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party.
“We know over the past months it has been a troubling time for the most people of the constituency and St. Kitts and Nevis in general, because of Covid-19 and the cut back on work so the finances and everything is a bit challenging for some parents,” said Ambassador Kevin Williams. “My team and I we decided it will be a good gesture if we could get together and muster some back to school supplies for the children of the primary schools and going onwards, which will help to build a strong and safer future.”
He thanked his team, which is led by Mrs Sylvia Williams-Francis who along with Ms Verneen Rawlins, Mr Calvin Leader and others worked hard to ensure the event was the success it was. He also thanked teachers at the four primary schools for lending support to the effort and making the school premises available.
“We were blessed and graced with the appearance of our Prime Minister who joined me here to show his support in distributing the packages and to let the kids know that the whole government is with them supporting them, and that is very good,” said Ambassador Williams. Also helping with the distribution of school supplies and snacks to the students was Deputy Speaker, Senator the Hon Dr Bernicia Nisbett.
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