Jamaica Cancer Society Mobile Unit -Major Project 2021/22


 
On February 21, 2022 a 15 seater Toyota Hiace bus valued at US$55,000 which was discounted to US$43,000 courtesy of  Toyota Jamaica Limited was donated to the Jamaica Cancer Society.
 
This marked the completion of the major project for the Rotary year 2021-2022. 
 
The new unit which is critical for current and future cancer care and treatment, was handed over at a ceremony held at the Jamaica Cancer Society located at 16 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston. 
 
The Area of Focus is Disease Prevention and Treatment, where this bus replaces a 2004 model to transport doctors, nurses and medical equipment across all fourteen parishes of Jamaica in order to provide cancer screening, conduct symposiums and critical care for patients.
 
The donation was made through funds raised from the Rotary Club of London, Cayman Sunrise and corporate sponsors. A charity golf tournament was held in November 2021 which garnered over 100 participants to contribute to the fund raising effort, lead by our excellent team of PP Wayne Wray and PP Don Patterson.
 
Special thanks as well to our Rotarian family who obtained sponsors, attended and assisted on that day to ensure a very successful event.
 
Major sponsors present were: Acting Executive Director, Jamaica Cancer Society, Michael Leslie, JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Kim Mair, State Minister of the Ministry of Health & Wellness, The Honourable Juliet Cuthbert Flynn.
 
Author: Kecia Taylor

As a part of Rotary's area of focus on disease prevention and treatment, President Kecia Taylor on learning of the need for a replacement bus by the Jamaica Cancer Society to carry out cancer screening in rural parts of Jamaica, the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North decided to make the acquisition of a new unit its 2021-2022 major project.

In collaboration with a number of corporate entities, Rotary Clubs abroad and proceeds from the club’s major golf tournament, the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North raised US$43,000 ($6,708,000) to purchase a new 15-seater Toyota Hiace which was presented to the Jamaica Cancer Society on Monday, February 21.  Among the corporate sponsors were: JMMB Joan Duncan Foundation, PROVEN Wealth, CHASE Fund, Toyota, Jamaica Broilers Group Foundation and Mayberry. Other donors were: Rotary Club of London, Rotary Club of Cayman Sunrise and individual Rotarians.  The new bus replaces a 17-year-old unit which was sold earlier this year.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Kecia Taylor, President of the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North said:  “The Rotary Club of St Andrew North is proud to make a difference in the lives of Jamaicans now and for many years to come. This bus is a vehicle for the advancement of the humanitarian work of the Jamaica Cancer Society.

“We are honoured to have been able to fulfil our promise to the Jamaica Cancer Society within six months of the start of this Rotary year in July 2021.”

The new vehicle will transport medical doctors, nurses, screening equipment and team members across Jamaica to offer cancer screening at subsidized rates, as well as carry out public awareness education.

In expressing appreciation for the donation, Michael Leslie, Acting Executive Director of Jamaica Cancer Society said:  “The Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) is grateful to the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North for this new bus.  As the JCS continues to strengthen its outreach screening programme, this new unit is timely.  Our first stop aboard the new Toyota Hiace was set for Denbigh, in Clarendon, on Thursday, February 24 , where screening for prostate cancer was to take place among men.”  Mr. Leslie also advised that the team had plans to go into Stewart Mountain, St. Mary, on Monday, February 28, for pap smear screening.

Also participating in the handing over ceremony were the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health & Wellness, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn; Earl Jarrett, Chairman of the Jamaica Cancer Society, with virtual greetings from Doug Wills, past president, Rotary Club of London.  The Rev. Bosworth A.J. Mullings, Superintendent Minister, Coke Circuit, Jamaica Methodist District, blessed the bus.

Author: Carmen Patterson