The Honourable
Built on a foundation of love and compassion for others, The Cancer Society of The Bahamas has long brought assistance, awareness and education about the disease that so many of us have been afficted by, whether personally or through the experiences of our families and friends.
On this 21st Annual Cancer Society Gala Ball, it is the esteemed pleasure of my wife Ann-Marie and I to lend support not only this organization, but by extension, to those who seek the necessary help it provides.
For over four decades this organization has worked tirelessly to support the medical framework of our country and provide quality care to cancer patients across our archipelago. The donations and the contributions of this organization have not gone unnoticed, and today I commend you on your longevity as a pillar in our society.
With cancer being among the leading cause of death among Bahamians, my support and that of my wife, along with my government remains unwavering. My government made a commitment to prioritize healthcare in The Bahamas and looks forward to partnering with organizations like The Cancer Society to bring about the necessary medical advancements our country needs.
I am grateful to Founder Susan K. Roberts for her vision, along with the many directors, members, donors, and volunteers who help make this organization the driving force that it is today. It is by no mere coincidence that your hearts and hands have been connected to help bridge the gap between disease and recovery.
It is my prayer that we may all be led to offer our assistance wherever possible, to bring hope to the warriors among us who fght daily, not only to survive, but to inspire us all with the very same courage to never surrender.
PHILIP E. DAVIS KC , MPMS. ROCHELLE K. WILKINSON
It’s May 2023 and another fantastic ball awaits us! The 21st annual Cancer Ball Met Gala: A Golden Celebration. Life all around us seems to be settling down and allowing us to return to some sort of normal. “Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before…you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good” (Elizabeth Edwards).
For the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, we are happy to be getting back to work and putting together many good things. We are back in business with our cervical and prostate screening clinics and Family Island Mammogram Screening (FIMS) programs. We remain committed to our Mission and Value Statements: to assist those afficted with cancer and educate the public on the advantages of early detection and treatment, and healthy lifestyles.
We are getting back to educating Bahamians on the need to focus on their bodies and recognize changes that impact their health and to seek professional medical attention. We all know that a cancer diagnosis can be devastating, but we also know that it is not necessarily the end of the world. The best options are still early detection and treatment, and healthy lifestyles. So make the time to go and have those annual check ups and screenings.
We are also getting back to our expansion project, which includes the construction of an additional 10 patient rooms as well as providing hospice care. This ambitious $3 million project will be life changing for many in our community once it is completed. We look forward to your continued assistance in reaching our goal.
Thank you to all those who have continued to support us throughout the years. Our success sits neatly on your shoulders as we could not continue our work without the fnancial support, and all the hard-working volunteers. This year, we join the country in celebrating The Bahamas’ 50 Years of Independence. This celebration began with The #Roadto50 Race, whose aim was to ignite and recognize the need for us to be a healthier and more united nation. We salute this approach and encourage our Government to continue this messaging as a lesson learned from just a few short years ago as we faced the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our Ball Committee has prepared this Golden Celebration, which culminates the month of Cancer Awareness; so let us enjoy the festivities, have a good time, and dance the night away in support of the cancer warriors and survivors, and in memory of those lost in the fght.
GINA GONZALEZ-ROLLE
Gina Gonzalez-Rolle was born on the beautiful island of New Providence, to Cecil and Gaylene Gonzalez. Gina places an illustrious value on family and service. She feels that she would not be the person she is without the loving support of her three daughters Kelgia, Kara, and Kelsie and husband Kelsey Rolle.
Gina developed a sincere appreciation for the work of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas after her aunt from Abaco had been diagnosed with cancer in 2000. This showed her frst-hand the necessity for organizations like the Cancer Society and its arduous working volunteers in closing the existing gaps affecting access to healthcare for cancer patients. She frst volunteered with the Cancer Society of the Bahamas under past president Earl Bethel. Since then, she has sat on committees to assist in the planning and fundraising for annual events such as the ball, Stride-For-Life, Bingo Night, annual Golf Tournament and the Love Lights a Tree. In addition to this, she enjoyed the opportunity to assist with programs like Freedom Kids, and the Telethon.
Over the years, she has developed a passion for youth empowerment and has effortlessly promoted her personal motto “I believe our children are our future.’’ Apart from her nurturing lifestyle in which she has taken on mentorship roles for many, she also currently serves as Junior Division Chair for the Bahamas Golf Federation and has served in multiple capacities in local school programs. Other causes that she holds in the highest regard are food insecurity illustrated by her work with the Feeding Network and the Great Commission Ministries, as well as Bahamian cultural empowerment, seen in her work with the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby and the Bahamian Icon Awards.
Some of her most memorable experiences while volunteering with the Cancer Society of the Bahamas was when the extracurricular club, “The Jr. Cancer Society” was formed under her leadership which promoted a signifcant increase in youth volunteerism. This led to a tremendous youth turnout at the 2018 Bingo Night with over seventy teenagers volunteering and participating making the night a huge success. Also, when members of the Jr. Cancer Society designed uplifting cards with encouraging messages to be later distributed to cancer patients.
Gina’s passion in life is to give back to underserved communities. She is humbled and feels immense gratitude to have been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Susan Andrews Award. She is appreciative to her supportive family, friends and to the hard workers and volunteers at the CSOB and the Cancer Caring Center who have contributed signifcantly to her commitment to a lifestyle of service.
LOWES PHARMACY LTD.
It is indeed an honor and privilege to be considered for and accept the 2023 Lifetime Achievement award on behalf of the Staff and Management of Lowes Pharmacy Ltd., we humbly accept
As this being our 70th year of operation and having the privilege to ‘Care For Your Health’, we included an initiative more exciting than any other that we have ever ventured into to beneft your cause. We as a company deeply appreciate the value of awareness through education, prevention and early detection that the Bahamas Cancer Society provides and the role it plays particularly in the support programs and housing arena. Speaking myself as a cancer survivor, I personally thank you and applaud you for the massive contributions that you Have made throughout the Bahamas enabling persons to get care who otherwise may not have been able to so.
Many thanks again for this distinguished award and we will be continuing this partnership into the next 70 years!
William G. Cash III Managing Director Lowes Pharmacy Ltd.
