Minister Lawrence tells of personal fight with breast cancer

…as Lions Club hosts cancer forum

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, who on Friday announced she was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been receiving treatment since last year, vowed to make local treatment the best, as she detailed her fight.
The minister, who was given the post in 2017, almost broke down in tears on Friday morning as she revealed the shocking news at a breast cancer forum held at the St Roses High School on Church Street in Georgetown.
The event was organised by the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the Lions Club of Diamond/Grove, and she was at the time sharing with students from St. Roses and others in the vicinity.
In a shaky tone, Lawrence said, “When you see me running all around the place trying to get my feet in the Ministry of Public Health, I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer…this is what we are taking about; that shock, that awe.”
While still biting in tears, Lawrence explained that it was the help of God that comforted her during that period. “Because of my faith, I knew not that I would be healed, but I knew that it was not my will but that it was His will that will be done. So I pledged that every day I wake up, once God gives me that life, and I know if He will give me life, He will give me strength.”
As she continued, the Member of Parliament noted that she will fight to make sure the best health services are accessed here. “I will ensure that, as the Minister of Public Health, I do everything within my power to ensure that Guyana is on the road to having the best health services available to everyone.”
The Minister’s declaration comes at a time when Breast Cancer Awareness Month is being observed across the world.
Students in attendance were urged to share with others the meaningful message: that anyone can get breast cancer.
The Diamond/Grove Lions Club was lauded for its effort in spreading cancer awareness, as it rolled out its planned event to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The group has been involved in numerous activities to give back to the public. The recent exercise gave students from at least three different secondary schools opportunity to benefit from information coming from cancer specialists, and even gave the intrigued minds a chance to ask questions.
Head Teacher of St Roses, Paula Hamilton, thanked the group for selecting that school, and encouraged the children to support those who may be fighting the dreadful disease.