Belize Launches Cancer Awareness Month With Flag-Raising Ceremony

Today marks the beginning of Cancer Awareness Month, and Belize joins the rest of the world in honoring, supporting, and reflecting on the lives of those affected by the disease, living with it (brave survivors) and those we’ve lost. This morning’s official flag-raising ceremony set the tone for upcoming activities, raising awareness and offering support throughout October. We spoke with Kim Simplis Barrow, President of the Belize Cancer Society and herself a survivor.

Kim Slimplis Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society: “We are starting off the month on the 1st of October with the flag raising um ceremony and really it is such a  powerful symbol of hope, solidarity and national commitment.  And we are really looking forward to that moment which will be on October 1st, Wednesday October 1st at 6 a.m. at the flag monument by the Pallotti Overpass. That same day, which is October 1st, we will be having a ribbon and candlelight vigil.”

Reporter: Can we ask what is the mindset going into the cancer month? 

Kim Slimplis Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society: “Our major objective really is to continue our advocacy and to educate. We want to  stress and emphasize the message early detection save lives. We want to see, we don’t want to see any cancer in Belize but if we see any cancer, if any cancer is detected, we want to see more stage one and stage two and not the stages three or the stage four. That for us is very important. So we continue our education, we continue our advocacy. “

The Belize Cancer Society is set to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to adopt national cancer plans, including a national cancer registry. In her strongly worded speech, she highlighted that Belize cannot fight what we do not measure.

Kim Slimplis Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society: “The Belize Cancer Society continues to advocate with the Ministry of Health and Wellness for a comprehensive national cancer plan. One that includes a national cancer registry  to better track, understand, and respond to the realities of cancer in our country. We cannot fight what we do not measure and we cannot win unless every Belizean has access to prevention, treatment, and hope.  So this October,  let us commit to more than just awareness. Let us commit to action. Let us talk to our mothers, our sisters, our co-workers, our friends.  Let us show up to the clinics. Let us hold space for those grieving. And let us celebrate those  who are still here,  the warriors  among us.”

The ceremony is followed by a candlelight vigil at 6:00 this evening at the Belize Cancer Society headquarters on Mercy Lane in Belize City. The Vigil is opened to the public.