Eleuthera, Bahamas — One Eleuthera Foundation’s Breast Cancer Outreach Program (BCOP) hosted their fourth Annual “Pink Tea Party” event on Sunday April 30th, 2017, under the theme “Saving our Sisters, Strengthening Families”.
Women and girls from the surrounding communities came together at the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center (EACC) in Tarpum Bay to support the event and BCOP’s efforts towards breast cancer awareness. Delicious teas and pastries were served and the evening was filled with fun, laughter and education.
The men of Unity Builders, a local softball team, volunteered their time and served the ladies attending the event. Members of the Rotaract Club of Eleuthera also volunteered at the event.
The mistress of ceremonies for the event, Chinnici McDonald, Administrator of the Cancer Society of Eleuthera, kept the crowd entertained with exciting trivia and fun facts about, BCOP, One Eleuthera Foundation and breast cancer. The audience was serenaded by Malikah Pinder who sang a tribute to the breast cancer survivors who were present. Liz Ramnarine recited poems that were inspired by watching close loved ones battle cancer. There was also a mini hat show where ladies participated in an impromptu hats parade.
Breast cancer facts and breast self-awareness messages were presented by Maisie Thompson, Community Outreach Coordinator (COC) of One Eleuthera Foundation and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Outreach Program. Breast cancer literature was distributed to each attendee who were also encouraged to share the material with other women. In light of the variety of sweet treats being served, Ms. Thompson admonished the ladies to, “practice eating in moderation and remember that sugar is NOT your friend”.
The guest speaker for the event, Kitiboni ‘Kiti’ Adderley, Physical Therapist and proprietor of Handling Your Health Wellness and Rehab, spoke to the ladies about living healthy lives through “NEW START” formula. This is an acronym that stands for: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunshine, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust (in God). She stressed the importance of paying attention to their health status and having regular mammogram screenings.
The afternoon ended with lots of smiling faces as the ladies and girls interacted with tunes played by DJ Walter & Co in the background.
The participants appeared to thoroughly enjoy the tea party and to appreciate the knowledge gained.
An excited eight-year-old, Gianni Meadows said, “I enjoyed it. It was lots of fun games and I learned a lot about breast cancer from the trivia. I didn’t know that men can get breast cancer too, this was new to me. I also saw some of my friends there.”
Violet Knowles said, “I’m so glad I came! I enjoyed the event a whole lot.”
To learn more about this and other One Eleuthera Foundation projects visit www.oneeleuthera.org
