By Marinella Glasgow

AS the world celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness, the students of Queen’s College stood in solidarity with the warriors of this chronic disease. Recently, the Interact Club of Queen’s College hosted a seminar under the theme “We Care”. The programme was held in the school’s auditorium and was attended by the students, teachers and specially invited guests. The symposium was chaired by Senior Prefect, Vishani Ragobeer, who welcomed the students and spoke about the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness.
The audience was further enlightened by Dr. Ghazi, of the Cancer Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the importance of having knowledge about this chronic ailment. He alluded to the challenges that are faced by the victims and the vast numbers of death due to this disease.

“It is not like the old times where persons accepted death as soon as they were diagnosed. Due to the skillfulness of workers and the intervention of Information Technology, breast cancer can be cured”, he reassured the audience.
He concluded by encouraging the students to be informed and to be agents of change as the world strives to combat this painful disease.

Following his presentation, the students were introduced to a valiant fighter,
Ms. Tinsarran. She was introduced as a victim of this ailment. Ms. Tinsarran spoke of her journey and the challenges she faced. She lamented on the importance of having health checks. “Sometimes we take it for granted but we need to check ourselves,” she said.
She continued to speak of her days of depression and tears. However, she praises her husband and relatives who always stood by her side.

“I was reluctant to go to the doctor but after my husband kept telling me ‘the pain you’re in isn’t natural’, I decided to go. However, this was one year later. When I went to the doctor, he told me that I had a small fibrous lump. After a few months, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I was shattered because no one wants to hear that they have this disease,” Ms. Tinsarran said. “My doctor suggested chemotherapy but I was reluctant. I remember my family and I googling every single thing that could cure the cancer. It was then I realised that my diet needed to change. After combating this obstacle, I was then told that the cancer has spread to my liver. I was then instructed to go to New York for surgery.
“In New York, the doctors refused to cut my liver, remove the liver or anything of the sort because the cancer had gone too deep. I was then told that my cancer was as a result of my hormones. I received radiation and other treatments that left me very weak but my family was always there for me. Now that I am better, my diet had completely changed. I am a vegan. My hardest food to give up was cheese but I knew I had to give it up for my own good.

“Each day, I eat and drink countless mixtures of vegetables and beans. My diet excludes sugars, fats and any other thing that would contribute to my cancer. I am a survivor and I’m here today to encourage you not to take cancer for granted. We need to check ourselves and to be educated.”

She ended her story by requesting three things from the audience. “Be educated, be supportive and be strong. We don’t know how much we could avoid only if we are educated. Then we need to be supportive to those warriors of cancer. Many times when persons are diagnosed, their family and friends abandon them but we need to be different and be supported. We also need to be strong for those warriors and give our support. All in all, we might be the ones in need.
The audience gave a standing ovation in support of the warrior who continues to fight against the disease.

The vote of thanks was given by the President of the Interact Club, Sanifa Agrippa. “We are so thankful for the persons who are here to support us. Though we are but students, we are in support of the warriors of Breast Cancer and we will continue with all our efforts to support them.”

Dr. Ghazi was then presented with a donation for the Cancer survivors by the Vice President of the Interact Club, Ms. Sarah David-Longe.
The students were then ushered outside as they sang and released pink helium balloons in solidarity and love for the survivors of Breast Cancer.