Kingston, Jamaica – October 20, 2015: In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) donated 361 breast prostheses valued at approximately J$2.6 million, to the Jamaica Cancer Society and its social outreach arm, Jamaica Reach to Recovery, on October 14.
These breast prostheses were handed over at FFPJ’s head office located in Ellerslie Pen, St Catherine. The breast prostheses were sourced by Food For The Poor Inc in the United States and are for women who have lost their breasts to cancer.
The team from the Jamaica Cancer Society was elated to receive the donation.
Offering gratitude on behalf of the Society, Yulit Gordon, Executive Director, said, “As the country recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease, the timing of this donation is perfect.”
Gordon further stated that the Cancer Society has seen a significant increase in the number of women accessing their available mammography screening services since the start of the month. One hundred and seventy-five women have received free mammography screening at the Society since the start of the month. In addition, she shared that the Government of Jamaica has made available to the country’s most vulnerable HER2 positive breast cancer patients, Herceptin Subcutaneous, a new and effective form of Herceptin which will serve to improve the health outcome for these patients.
“Receiving this donation of breast prostheses from Food For The Poor is the icing on the cake. We will ensure that the beneficiaries are those who need it most. To be able to equip these women to enhance their lives and provide them with some amount of comfort is a blessing and we are truly grateful! ” she said.
Carolind Graham, Chairman, Reach to Recovery was as elated equally as Gordon for the donation.
“When we received that call from Food For The Poor about the donation, my first response was, ‘Yes!’ There are so many cancer survivors who have done surgery, but have no opportunity to restore their original profile, because when a woman loses a breast, it doesn’t define who she is, but it does affect how she now sees herself. We are also aware that the average person cannot afford a prosthesis, and, while it is important, it is not on the priority list when compared to other basic necessities. This donation from Food For The Poor will make a great difference in the lives of these persons. We are truly delighted to be partnering with Food For The Poor in this regard,” Graham commented.
Speaking on behalf of FFPJ during the handover, Susan Moore, Director of Recipient Services, said FFPJ was happy to donate the 361 breast prostheses.
“Food For The Poor Jamaica recognised that there was a great need in Jamaica for breast prostheses, so when our head office, FFP Inc, contacted us, we immediately thought of contacting the Jamaica Cancer Society to receive this donation. We also recognized that a prosthesis could be quite costly to cancer survivors, and Jamaica Reach To Recovery would have direct contact with most of these needy individuals. Hence, contact was made, and today Food For The Poor is happy to donate these well-needed prostheses to these two entities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a significant demonstration of our interest in the most vulnerable groups in society,” she said at the handover.
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Prepared by PRO Communications Limited
http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/361-breast-prostheses-donated-food-poor
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