Vanterpool Enterprises donates $3K to BVI Cancer Society

The BVI Cancer Society received a $3,000 donation from Vanterpool Enterprises last month to support cancer prevention and awareness efforts within the BVI community.

The society expressed gratitude for the generous contribution, stating, “Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us take another step toward a healthier, more informed BVI.”

The funds will aid the organisation’s ongoing efforts to educate and empower individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce their risk of developing cancer.

As part of its awareness initiatives, the BVI Cancer Society has declared January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The organisation is encouraging women to get pap smears and highlighted the importance of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against 90 percent of cervical cancers. However, they cautioned that the vaccine does not shield against all cancer-causing types of HPV.

There is increasing concern about the prevalence of cancer in the territory. According to a National Health Insurance (NHI) report, the BVI has recorded an average of 41 new cancer cases and 14 cancer-related deaths annually over the past six years. Between 2016 and 2020, the NHI documented 462 new cancer cases, with 74 new cases reported in 2022.

Additionally, a 2023 BVI news report revealed that over 300 individuals were diagnosed with various cancers in the territory within a three-year period.

The BVI Cancer Society continues its mission to raise awareness, provide education, and advocate for early detection to combat the growing impact of cancer within the BVI.