BVI Breast Cancer Survivor Advocates Going Back To Garden To Beat Disease

TORTOLA — President of the BVI Cancer Society Gloria Fahie wants persons in the community to retrain their way of thinking and eat healthier foods.

Fahie’s made the call comes at this month of October is being observed as breast cancer Awareness Month.

However Fahie says this year they want the focus to be on all forms of cancer.

Fahie has been speaking to a number of companies, groups and students about cancer, and she believes more people are becoming aware of this disease, but she what she would like to see is a change is eating habits.

Gloria Fahie

“My focus is always on the kids, we have to start early because early prevention saves lives… The government is taking stock right now by looking at the foods that the vendors are selling at the different high schools and primary schools here. We want the vendors to sell healthy foods to our kids. And its not only the vendors, our kids start at home with us, Fahie noted.

“So we have to retrain our thinking to ensure that us and other persons in the society eats healthier”, she said.

Fahie who is a breast cancer survivor said she firmly believes they have to pay more attention to agriculture. “The foods that are being imported are not really good for us, the vegetables, the fruits, they are all contaminated and I think these are the reasons why we are seeing a higher rate of cancers.

“I think we have to get back to the earth and focus on the agricultural aspect of our society and go back to our garden of Eden and everyone in the BVI I am recommending that they start some little form of backyard gardening. Even if you don’t have a plot of land, plant something in a little pot and grow…. be healthy and be wise.

Cancer is very prevalent in the BVI and a number of persons died recently because of that dreaded disease.

Fahie said treating Cancer is costly and the BVI Cancer Society while it has been able to assist some persons, there is still a long way to go.

She noted that most of their fundraisers are done during this month, by selling memorabilia and it is also the time when many organizations and businesses donate to the society.

Activities have been taking place here to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, among them health clinics, Walk Run for a Cure, Paint the Town Pink and a Gala to end the month at the Governor’s Residence on October 30th.