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Soroptimist Club members pose with candles in front of the statue of Lady Liberty on Friday afternoon for breast cancer awareness month. (Robert Luckock photo)

MARIGOT--Soroptimist International Club of St. Martin held its annual breast cancer awareness event on Friday afternoon with the traditional draping of a pink sash around the shoulders of the Lady Liberty statue on the Agrment roundabout.

The Clubs members, board members, past presidents and vice-presidents took part together with First Vice-President of the Collectivit Valrie Damaseau.

Damaseau and Soroptimist Club President Hlne Micot-Bride both gave short addresses in Hotel de la Collectivit on the significance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also referred to as October Rose.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked worldwide to increase
awareness of the disease and importance of early detection which helps schedule proper treatment, Damaseau said in her remarks. As we are gathered here today, in the name of President Daniel Gibbs, the entire Territorial Council and I applaud the numerous associations that continue to bring awareness, and particularly to the Soroptimist Club for your continuous efforts and initiatives.

We wish, moreover, to applaud the courage of women fighting this fight. As we all know, prevention is better than cure, so let us all together continue to
raise the level of awareness and help save our breasts.

Micot-Bride reminded that as a womens organisation it is imperative for Soroptimists to be fully mobilised in breast cancer awareness.

This year, the Club has partnered with the Collectivit and Edeis, the management company of Grand Case airport, to unveil the pink knot, the symbol to raise awareness in public places to encourage women to get tested for this disease, which is affecting more younger women in our territory and throughout the world.

Despite the coronavirus crisis, we have insisted on carrying out these actions. We must not forget to treat ourselves and get tested.

In the name of the Soroptimist Club of St. Martin, I would like to thank the partners who have made October Rose possible: the Collectivit, Pascal Marcoux from Edeis, Sabrina Charville as well as Grani who made these magnificent pink knots.

Nadia Weinum, a Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital nurse, said awareness campaigns will be stepped up, as unfortunately actions to date have not resonated sufficiently with women.

First Vice-President Valrie Damaseau unveils the pink ribbon symbol outside Hotel de la Collectivit as Soroptimist Club President Hlne Micot-Bride looks on. (Robert Luckock photo)

We note that some women arrive for their screening too late, so prevention and early detection is of paramount importance, she said. All women between the ages of 50 and 74 should be screened and have regular consultations.

Additional remarks were made by Ketty Karam, President of Association Guadeloupene pour le Dpistage des Cancers (AGWADEC), the regional testing centre, who emphasised that creating awareness of breast cancer is a year-round task, not just for October.

A pink breast cancer awareness symbol was unveiled outside Hotel de la Collectivit before the group proceeded to the Agrment roundabout.