ON the occasion of World Cancer Day on Thursday, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) announced the allocation of some $4m from its ongoing Pinktober Fund to go towards the diagnostic testing and treatment of cancer patients in Guyana.

According to a release, this year, the global village is called upon to ‘speak up, stand up and take action together’ in commemoration of World Cancer Day – and GTT’s contribution is a direct response to that rallying call.

GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens, explained that the Cancer Institute of Guyana will provide the treatment while the Oncology Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) would identify patients to access the services as they have done in the past.

Last year, the company collaborated with the institute to offer similar services, which resulted in 20 patients being able to access treatment and diagnostic testing in the Linden, Bartica, East Bank, West Coast, East Coast and West Bank Demerara areas.

Gittens highlighted, of the 20 patients, 55 per cent completed CT scans for diagnostic purposes, while 70 per cent accessed radiation treatment. Of those who benefitted, 50 per cent were diagnosed with breast cancer while 45 per cent were diagnosed with cervical cancer. Gittens shared that “…those being assisted were between the ages of 39 to 78 years old.”

“The loss of lives and livelihoods due to cancer in Guyana is alarming. GTT remains committed to reducing this burden on our Guyanese society by saving lives using the Pinktober fund and promoting awareness, screening, diagnosis and treatment. We are grateful for every individual who contributed to the Pinktober Funds through the purchase of a bottle or just making a donation. Our contribution is on your behalf – we are in this together,” Gittens reminded.

GTT’s Pinktober initiative is a fundraising and awareness initiative; 100 per cent of all funds raised go directly back into cancer care and treatment in Guyana.