Tree-wrapping exercise on Camp St

– kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities

By Kizzy Coleman

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities kicked off on Monday afternoon with the annual tree-wrapping exercise along Camp Street, Georgetown.
The event, sponsored by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT), in collaboration with the Guyana Cancer Foundation, saw trees along the street being wrapped with pink cloths to symbolise the importance of showing support to women affected by breast cancer in Guyana.

Young female footballers of the Guyana Football Federation lending their support at the tree-wrapping activity (Carl Croker photo)

The first tree was wrapped by Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green, who noted that it is important for all Guyanese, women and men alike, to show their support and to participate in the activities planned for this month.
Chase-Green expressed satisfaction with the turnout of women, and explained that it is necessary for similar level of participation to be shown throughout the month of October.
Just concluding work for the day did not prevent a large group of women from stopping to lend their assistance in wrapping the trees.
Bibi Hassan of the Cancer Foundation noted that the event, which signifies commencement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is one to be applauded as the initiative is creating awareness in Guyana.
“I really hope that people are made aware of this, and I also hope that it inspires hope to those who are struggling at the moment,” Hassan said.
For the entire month of October, there will be sharing of the stories of cancer survivors, and of the list of activities planned, the signature event is the inaugural Breast Cancer Awareness 5K and 10K walk, slated for October 21. For a small sum of $2000, persons can register for the walk online at gtt.co.gy/cancerwalk
Another activity planned for the month is dubbed “No Bra Day”, and is scheduled for October 13. Women would be required to go braless for the entire day to show their support for the fight against breast cancer.