Cancer Concern Association Seychelles Packs February With Awareness Activities
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Cancer Concern Association (CCA) Seychelles is dedicating the whole month of February to commemorate World Cancer Day, which fell on February 4, by organising a series of activities to help raise awareness on this medical condition and additionally promote fitness. Speaking to local media, the chairperson of the Cancer Concern Association, Dinaz Van Der Lans, said it was important for the association to be and remain active, not only on World Cancer Day but throughout the whole year. The framing of the activities as a month-long programme is being read as a sign of the association’s commitment to sustained engagement on cancer awareness, rather than a one-day event.
The activities which will be held during this month will greatly benefit the association by raising funds that will go towards helping the cause and we invite everybody to take part in it, shared Mrs Van Der Lans. The association’s activities began last Sunday, February 4, with a special prayer shared in church, sending out warm, comforting messages to uplift those affected by the condition whether it is directly or indirectly, through a family member. They also shared a few words of encouragement on their social media page so their followers know they are never alone. The decision to open the month with a prayer service is being read as a sign of the association’s commitment to a holistic approach to cancer care.
Yesterday, they held the opening of their outreach programme on cancer and prevention at the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC), which was seen as a great success with positive feedbacks. The programme will go on until February 9. On February 17, the physical component of the month’s activities will begin and that is through a yoga session organised by the CCA called ‘Yogis for Cancer’, which will consist of light yoga and breathing control focusing on centering and reconnecting with your body, culminating in sound therapy. The breadth of the programme is being read as a sign of the association’s recognition that cancer care requires a range of complementary approaches.
The following day, Sunday 18, will see the famous annual run for hope fun run by the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at the establishment itself, which will start at 8.45am. As it is a fundraising event, a registration fee of R100 is required to take part. There will also be the sale of other items such as t-shirts. What’s great about this run is that not only does the Four Seasons Resort organise it, but they also go as far as to match the amount of funds raised by the run and donate it to the Cancer Concern Association, said Mrs Van Des Lans. The decision of the Four Seasons to match the funds raised is being read as a sign of the depth of the partnership between the resort and the association.
Last on the CCA’s list of activities for the month is a donation of a cystoscope to the Ministry of Health to be used for the detection of cancer in the bladder and prostate. The date of the donation will be confirmed later. The donation of a cystoscope is being read as a particularly significant contribution, given the high cost of the equipment, and the fact that it will directly support the early detection of two of the most common cancers affecting Seychellois men. The framing of the cystoscope as a donation, rather than a purchase by the ministry, reflects the long-standing role of the association in supplementing the work of the public health system.
