One Communications company teams up with Health Ministry and NGOs for Pinktober 2024

One Communications company teams up with Health Ministry and NGOs for Pinktober 2024

Under the theme ‘Many Hearts, One Fight,’ One Communications together with the Ministry of Health launched Pinktober 2024 as part of their mission to raise awareness and generate much needed funds to support the fight against cancer across Guyana.

The launch took place this morning at the Pegasus Corporate Centre. 

One Communications Director of Brand and Buzz, Ian Lewis said Pinktober, which was first initiated in 2017, remains one of the company’s most impactful corporate social responsibility programmes. 

He said since 2017, Pinktober has been impacting lives throughout communities across Guyana.  

“Since its inception in 2017 under the GTT, now One Communications, Pinktober has been one of our most vital corporate social responsibility initiatives, created in support to fight cancer. Over the years, we have dedicated the entire month of October to raising awareness, fostering education and generating funds for cancer treatment and prevention,” the Brand and Buzz Director said. 

He said in 2023, the company successfully mobilized individuals and organizations to rally around the cause. He said from the survivors, who shared their stories, to the donors and volunteers, and the dedicated team at One Communications, everyone played a part in the fight against cancer.  

Lewis said throughout the years, his company developed very strong relationships with the Ministry of Health and several key organizations including Champions of Hope Network, the Giving Hope Foundation, the Cancer Institute of Guyana, Guyana Cancer Society, and the Beacon Foundation, among others.

Collectively, he said, they have provided tremendous support to cancer patients and their families.

Director of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) at the Ministry of Health, Lachmie Lall said Pinktober is a time for reflection, education and collective action.

Lall said the goal is clear, to raise awareness, promote early detection and to offer hope to those affected by breast cancer, particularly, at a time when it remains one of the most prevalent cancers in Guyana. 

“Breast Cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers affecting our women worldwide, and Guyana is no exception. In fact, the statistics at the Ministry of Health, show that in 2020, 2021 and 2022, breast cancer incidents ranked higher than all other cancers in Guyana. In 2020, there were 123 breast cases, in 2021 there were 144, and in 2022, there were 186 cases,” the NCD Director pointed out. 

She said the statistics show that the number of cases is slowly increasing from year to year. 

Lall said in addition to Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer remains of significant concern with 96 cases recorded in 2020, 104 in 2021, and 129 in 2022. 

The statistics, she said, for cervical is no different. 

Noting that cancer is a disease that does not discriminate, Lall said it cuts across all sections of society, adding that with early detection and proper care and support, persons can be freed of cancer. 

On that note, she lauded the work of One Communications and its partners in the fight against cancer. 

It was noted that the Government through the Health Ministry remains committed to ensuring that each person has access to the necessary screening, diagnosis and treatment options.

Meanwhile, cancer survivor, Hazel Chase, said early detection saved her life, when she was first diagnosed with cancer in 2012.

“Today I am thankful to God. Cancer is a life changing situation and you really got to be strong, you really have to have faith in God, and good friends and family support. I always like to emphasize, encourage persons to tell somebody…Find somebody who you can trust because going to cancer treatment is not easy,” Chase said. 

Chase used the opportunity today to encourage women to do regular medical checkups, emphasizing that early detection can save their lives, if diagnosed with cancer. 

One Communications flagship event for Pinktober – Move for a Cause – is billed for October 27, and Guyanese are encouraged to support the initiative. 

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