Latest update March 26th, 2026 7:55 AM
Cancer Warriors call for year-round support, more localized treatment at annual tree wrapping event
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller (2nd left), joins Minister within the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Steven Jacob and President of the Guyana Cancer Foundation Bibi Akthar (3rd left) for the annual tree-wrapping ceremony opposite state house on Main Street.
(Kaieteur News) – Cancer survivors and those still battling the disease on Friday called for year-round support and more localized treatments at the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) annual tree-wrapping ceremony.
A group of women comprising of cancer fighters and survivors was led by Guyana’s 2025 Global Hero of Hope, Rehana Jagdeo, as they made their call to the public and relevant authorities.
Jagdeo, a cancer survivor herself, said that it is not an easy task battling cancer as she recounted her journey to becoming a survivor.
“During my time it was only my kids and my family” she told that the attendees while explaining that some treatment like chemotherapy “beats you like dog”. She continued that radiation burns surgeries leave scars.
“If you don’t have a cut on your belly, you have one on your boob,” Jagdeo said as she highlighted that sometimes it is hard to look at yourself in the mirror. She also spoke of living with the fear that it can return.
Led by Guyana’s 2025 Hero of Hope, Rehana Jagdeo (3rd right), Cancer fighters made their plea for year-round support
Jagdeo then passed the microphone to another woman who has been a cancer survivor for nine years but recently started spotting and now has to do another surgery because it appears as if the cancer might have returned.
Miss Cosmo Guyana 2025, offering words of encouragement to cancer survivors
She said, “What I want to say to all those who came out and supported us thank you, but we need that support all year round, not only in October”
The woman added, “We are battling 365 days a year, with me I have to do another surgery come month-end a hysterectomy (a procedure of removing the uterus) so you know what that means”
“Come- on call us, visit us, take our numbers find out how we are doing not only October we are being held as heroes, we are getting call left right and center we need that call 365 days a year so thank you, all”, she urged.
Meanwhile, cancer fighter Hemwattie Harriprashad called for the relevant authorities to make more cancer treatments available locally.
Harriprashad was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in 2023. She has done two surgeries already but is still fighting the disease because the additional treatment she needs is not available in Guyana and is very expensive abroad.
“I am still waiting for treatment which we don’t have in Guyana” she said while adding “Year after year we begging the relevant authorities to make it possible, to put systems in place for us; myself and others who have thyroid cancer”.
“We have to get it (the treatment) overseas, Trinidad, USA, England and that is very costly probably $2 .7 million for one treatment”, she explained.
Shortly after making their public plea it was time for the main guest speaker, the Minister within the ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs to make the feature address of the event.
Jacobs assured them that the government would have been investing massively in building out a functional health care system in the country and will deliver on its promise to build and equip an oncology center.
“So, we hear you and we have you in mind and I want you to know that we stand with you in solidarity”, Jacobs said during his address.
He also pledged support for the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) in its fight against cancer.
Other special guests and dignitaries attending the event, offered words of encouragement and also pledged their support.
Among them was the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller and Miss Cosmo Guyana 2025, Kayla King.
A team of representatives from the Balwant Singh Hospital announced that the private health facilities will be providing 200 free mammograms to the GCF.
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Sir. Ronald Sanders
The GHK Lall Column
Weekend Cartoon
