How many women do you know who have (or have had) breast cancer? Do you have enough fingers to count them all?
Two years ago, one Virgin Islands medical provider said she’d seen so many new cases on St. John, she’d been wondering if there was something in the water. (That was a joke, of course; most St. John residents rely on their home cistern water or bottled water.)
The fact remains that one in eight women will get breast cancer, and that fact has led communities around the country (and the world) to establish October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known as Pinktober.
On St. John, the St. John Cancer Fund will be hosting its annual block party on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6 p.m. to midnight in front of Woody’s in Cruz Bay, and everyone is invited. Traffic will be closed from the corner of Prindsens Gade and Vester Gade to the traffic circle to make room for community involvement.
In addition to fundraising and educational activities, there will be music by DJ Adonis, Ric Sanders, and Jam Band.
It’s also a family event, with a kids’ corner and activities for children, including face painting and pumpkin painting.
Over the past 14 years, the St. John Cancer Fund has raised more than a million dollars, and it has given away as much to St. John residents to meet their varying needs.
“Once you have a diagnosis and you apply for assistance, the board can approve up to $4,000 per request for anything related to patient care, travel, medicine, rent – whatever costs you may face,” said Adonis Morton, one of the founding members of the organization. “So many of us on St. John are self-employed, and insurance costs are exorbitant. That’s part of our driving force.”
Of course, St. Thomas and St. Croix will also be hosting numerous cancer awareness and fundraising events in October. For a list of their activities, check the website for Cancer Support VI.
Breast Cancer Awareness in October has been associated with the color pink since 1992. The story is, “Alexandra Penney, SELF magazine’s editor-in-chief, partnered with Evelyn Lauder, Estée Lauder’s senior corporate vice president and a breast cancer survivor, to distribute pink ribbons after the magazine’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue.”
Each year, organizations involved with Pinktober choose a theme. For the World Health Organization, the theme this year is “Every Story is Unique. Every Journey Matters.” For One Communication in the Virgin Islands, it’s, “Act Now. Live Strong.”
The St. John Cancer Fund members like to inject a bit of humor in their theme; this year it’s, “Big or small, let’s save them all!”
