As Guyana observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has once again collaborated with the Guyana Cancer Foundation to spread awareness of the issue of breast cancer in Guyana.
National U-20 players Adrian Aaron (left) and Javier Smith engage in some tree wrapping in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This year’s partnership began on October 1 when two members of the National U-20 team – Javier Smith and Adrian Aaron – took time from their daily training to participate in the annual tree-wrapping exercise on Camp Street, Georgetown.
“I feel proud to participate in this activity to spread awareness of breast cancer,” said Smith at the conclusion of the event. “Breast cancer affects everyone even though women are more directly affected. I was happy to be among those who wrapped the trees this year to raise the level of consciousness among persons about this condition,” the defender added.
Aaron, who participated in the activity for the first time, said he was also proud and happy to participate: “I was also delighted to see so many persons having an interest in breast cancer awareness and trying to educate others about it. It was also good to have footballers as part of this important activity. Hopefully next year, I can be a part of it too.”
The tree-wrapping exercise was held between Lamaha and Church Streets. Among those also present were First Lady Sandra Granger, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green, Health Minister Volda Lawrence, members of the diplomatic corps and other representatives of corporate Guyana and civil society respectively.
This is the third year the GFF, as part of its corporate social responsibility, is partaking in Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities. The first year saw the Golden Jaguars participating in the tree-wrapping and outfitted in pink jerseys as part of their warm-up session for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Cup Championship match against Jamaica.
This year, the GFF will also participate in the “Pink Friday” and “Pinktober Walk/Run” activities respectively even as the National U-20 team prepare for the group qualifiers of the CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Championship being held November 1-22 at the IMG Academy, Florida, USA.
