“Throw Cancer Overboard” is the mantra that will echo throughout the evening at the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Pirate Mutiny Party on Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sion Farm Distillery. The outdoor jam will bring music, dancing, costumes, prizes, auction items, and so much more under the Crucian sky.
Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the door with cash, credit or debit card or online at Eventbrite.com. Purchasing fee applies.
Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project Co-founder and advocate Diane Hampton invites the community to come out to help fight cancer. “Join the VI Mutineers and throw cancer overboard. Wear your best pirate costume and compete for a prize for male, female and couples. Take pictures at our party photo booth. Purchase from our silent auction. The fun continues inside with DJ Kyle’s Scary-oke, Pirate Mutiny drinks and Mutiny specials on the menu.”
Hampton was inspired by the word “Mutiny” as an open rebellion that symbolized a bold stand against cancer. She felt the perfect venue to launch a “mutiny” on St. Croix would be Mutiny Island Vodka at Sion Farm Distillery.
A meeting with Chef Todd Manley, the founder and CEO of Mutiny Island Vodka and Hampton, was fortunate for both parties. Hampton shared her vision with Manley and he loved it, she said. “Partnering with Mutiny highlights how local businesses truly care about health issues and the impact of cancer on St. Croix.”
According to superpowers4good.com, Manley’s unique venture is not just about producing vodka; it’s about leveraging the underutilized superfood, breadfruit, to drive significant social and environmental change…a change that works hand-in-hand with Hampton’s hopes for environmental cancer research right here on St. Croix.
Hampton questioned why a breast cancer registry was not up and running with the numbers so high and survivors going to the States for surgery. She teamed up with Bernhard Berlich, Ph.D., a visiting University of the Virgin Islands adjunct professor, and together they sought to apply for federal grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH). They launched the Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project (VIBCP), a sponsored project of the St.Croix Foundation for Community Development.
“This has been a considerable challenge due to the absence of the cancer registry and the damage created by hurricanes Irma and Maria to the hospitals and to the only cancer treatment facility on St. Thomas. It has impacted the entire territory,” Hampton stated.
The cause is deeply personal to Hampton, having lost her mother to breast cancer in 2014 and witnessing the devastating impact on many of her friends on St. Croix. After her mother passed, Hampton discovered the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) in her hometown of Washington, DC. She became a member and attended her first conference in 2015. The following year, she applied for a scholarship to the Project LEAD program.
“Since then, I have participated in the NBCC Summit annually. I’ve hoped that more individuals from the V.I. could join these transformative events, which provide crucial insights into how Congress influences funding for breast cancer research and health care,” Hampton shared.
Five V.I. cancer survivors represented the territory at the NBCC on May 6-8, 2023, and lobbied at the U.S. Capitol on May 9. They were Bold Advocates: Forging a Path to End Breast Cancer in the 2023 NBCC Theme—Our Mission: to end breast cancer through the power of action and advocacy.
Recognizing the urgent need for awareness advocacy again, Hampton has envisioned this engaging fundraiser event for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The aim is to raise funds, inspire hope, and unite the community in collective action. With the help of Mutiny staff Shannon Manns and Beverly Anderson, the momentum has increased with an “all hands on deck” camaraderie.
The goal is to raise $20,000 to send 10 dedicated breast cancer survivors and advocates to the NBCC Summit in 2025. The summit is crucial for training advocates and preparing them for Lobby Day, where they can influence policy and drive essential change in breast cancer research and funding, according to Hampton.
“We are excited to welcome the Yvonne Ashley Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society to our event. They will be providing educational resources and information on the 2025 Relay for Life event, along with details about YAGs support group and other upcoming fundraising events,” Hampton said.
“We have six lucky breast cancer survivors who drew winning raffle tickets at the ‘Art of Healing for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers’ mini workshop. They will receive complete facial makeovers on Art Thursday, Nov. 21. ‘Radiance Reimagined: Skincare Edition’ is made possible as a gift from Janine Schuster, owner of Bougainvillea @ 41 King Street in downtown Christiansted. All cancer survivors and advocates are welcome to join with the winners in recognizing National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and enjoy discounts, shopping, refreshments, and prizes worth $200 in the beautiful, historic pink building that reflects the vibrant spirit of our community,” she said.
“Together, let’s transform awareness into action and truly ‘throw cancer overboard’ for good,” Hampton concluded.
Contributions for raffle, costume prizes and auction items:
Mutiny Island Vodka
Cruzan Rum/ rum barrels for props
Nobila Airport Hotel, Bin, Africa
Bungalow at Cheney Bay Resort, two nights, three days
Cheeseburgers in Paradise
Johnson’s Flower Shop
Seaside Market & Deli
Crucian Gold
Sonya Ltd
Frederiksted Dive Shop
Gigi Michelle, original art
Yemaya Jones, silk blouse
John Obafemi Jones, framed poster
Elisa McKay, matted prints
Artists Guild of St. Croix, original art
Don Knox, framed art
Maria Martin, Dove original painting
Bougainvillea @ 41 King Street, facial makeovers
Cruzan Adventure Divers, gift certificate
Alba’s Bar & Grill, gift certificate
AQUAHOLIC Restaurant, Frederiksted, gift certificate
Ruff Night Bar & Grill Hair of the Dog Bar, gift certificate
Napoleon’s Pizza, Frederiksted, gift certificate
Target Gas Station, Frederiksted, gift certificate
Caribbean Museum for the Arts, gift certificate
For more information or to donate:
Mutiny Island Vodka: 340-690-9322
Diane Hampton: 340-277-3879
Fundraiser/direct link to donate: https://support.stopbreastcancer.org/fundraiser/5873724
