GINGERLAND, Nevis. May 3, 2010. Miss Parris said Mrs Mills required specialized tests not available in the Federation before she commences treatment for lung cancer. She said this when she handed over
Pink Lily Cancer Care Support Coordinator, Tracy Parris
two donations to Mrs Mills a day before she flew out. Averil a Gingerland resident is married to Franklin Mills and is a mother of four – Travis(19), Tamara(15), Andra(11) and Taniqua (7). She is a grandmother to four-year-old-Taliyah.
Another donation amounting to EC329.36 handed over to Mills was raised from the crowd by Pink Lily volunteers during this year’s Inter-Primary Sports Day.
Miss Parris in her press statement said an arrangement was made by Nevis Ministry of Health for Averil to get treatment in Cuba through an existing agreement between St. Kitts and Nevis and Cuba. So far, said Minister of Health, Hensley Daniel, 14 patients from Nevis have already benefited through an initiative negotiated after the minister’s several visits to Cuba.
Miss Parris said the Nevis Island Administration(NIA) had made a major and significant contribution towards Averil’s access to specialized treatment in Cuba. Mr Franklin Mills, Averil’s husband said a total of EC$8,783.00 was raised through a process initiated by NIA.
Miss Parris who coordinates support services for clients referred by family members and medical personnel to Pink Lily, said the greatest challenge in cancer treatment was financial. To save lives, she said, Pink Lily advises patients to activate all existing facilities including banks, their insurance companies, family resources and any available options to quicken treatment for patients. She said every minute counts after a patient is diagnosed with cancer.
Miss Parris was hopeful that the envisaged National Health Insurance scheme would be established soon to help hasten treatment for cancer patients and others afflicted by other diseases. In March, when Pink Lily officials paid a courtesy call to St. Kitts, Minister for Health, Mercela Liburd, she informed the officials that consultants were working actively and closely with the ministries of health to establish the national insurance model that will work best for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The consultants’ findings will be disseminated to the public for discussion, she told Pink Lily officials.
She said Averil’s doctor had recommended that Averil leave for treatment in January 2010 but the family seems not to have been well informed about the existing arrangement for patients needing specialized treatment overseas.
“After Averil’s health condition was brought to the attention of Pink Lily, we worked closely with the family and encouraged them to establish how the government, the ir bank and their insurance company would assist in the process. Pink Lily volunteers made home visits to monitor Averil’s condition and also had meeting with her doctor. In a time of uncertainity, families need support,” she said. Miss Parris said any donations went a long way to boosting the much needed funds to enable cancer patients to receive treatment.
She said families should not hesitate to contact Pink Lily even when patients have been sent home after the medical personnel have done their best. Pink Lily Cancer Care Support Coordinator can be reached through cell number 1 869 6643306 or email: tracy.pinklilycancercare@gmail.com
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