ALL around there are many activities being hosted in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everyone is affected directly or indirectly by some form of cancer, which is tragic. It seems every other funeral is because the person succumbed to cancer and the age does not matter. We all need to continue the fight together. Over the years, Guyana Fashion Week has incorporated the awareness of cancer in fashion events.

Last weekend, I was invited to Connecticut for the Annual Pretty in Pink Gala to raise awareness and funds for Gardner’s House, by the phenomenal Maggie Garner, who is a two-time cancer survivor and the founder of Gardner’s House. Gardner’s House is a place for cancer survivors and their families to go for respite, a place to help them relieve some stress, for children to get counselling in private, but most of all to help those who are dying in silence. To fill the void that is left by this disease, a home away from home, a place of peace and quiet, a safe haven, an oasis in the desert for survivors and family, a place to heal body, soul and mind and to get away from the hospital and hospice atmosphere as far as possible.

It was truly an honour to be the Guest Speaker at this meaningful prestigious event. The keynote speaker was the brilliant Dr. Jonathan Jackson, who is a cognitive neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School. The audience was very excited to bid on a Sonia Noel Original to raise money for the cause.
I shared part of my story when my aunt discovered that she had this dreadful disease. I will never forget the day my Aunt Avis requested that I accompany her to the doctor to check the lump she discovered in her breast, and the doctor recommended a biopsy. I was also with her when the results came back. A chill ran through my body as we entered the doctor’s office and I looked across at her as she took her seat, and she was looking down to prevent making eye contact with the doctor. After a few minutes of small talk, he got to the results of the biopsy.

He started speaking the words no one wanted to hear, “Ms Gibson, unfortunately your results do not look good and I recommend an immediate mastectomy.” I could not look at her and after a few minutes she said, “Can I have some time to think about it and pray about it?” He reluctantly said okay in front of her but contacted her later stating that time is not on her side. The cancer progressed so rapidly that even the doctor was surprised.
I can vividly remember when her only daughter and my cousin Clemencio visited the doctor for him to advise her on what she should not eat. His answer was to give her anything she wants because very soon she will not be able to eat anything. I can still remember the long, flounce- bottom, flowered dress she bought when I was about five years old.

I left Connecticut early the next morning to join H.E.R.O.C (Health & Education Relief Organisation for Cancer) in NY for the cancer walk. It was great to see survivors like, Ms Patricia Jordon Langford, and the young, Priyadarshani Gordon, joining the team and supporters. I am very honoured to be one of the patrons for H.E.R.O.C. I must congratulate the team for the work they are doing for cancer patients in Guyana. Lorna Neblette and team are preparing for their Guyana outreach later in the month.
I challenge us to reach out to more survivors and others who are affected by any form of Cancer.
Send us a comment of story about someone you have lost or who is affected by cancer to beyondtherunway1@gmail.com and visit our FB Page, as we continue this journey call life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.