AS a passionate supporter of the fight against breast cancer, Digicel Jamaica is spreading more knowledge on combating the disease among employees, customers and communities. Our stance is in keeping with this year’s national breast cancer awareness theme which encourages us to stand together to raise awareness and support the fight against the disease. Breast Cancer Awareness Month presents an opportunity for us to team up with everyone to promote the importance of early detection and treatment.

With this in mind, Digicel is taking a 360-degree approach by raising awareness, encouraging screening, and donating to the cause. We are using our vast communication channels to share text message alerts with links to vital support resources, making related posts on social media, while still on the lookout for other great ideas that we could throw our support behind. At the office, our employees will observe Pink Fridays by wearing something pink each week. You should too! In addition, commemorative boards, and a fun walkathon will undoubtedly get our employees even more aware and abreast of how healthy lifestyle choices can help to reduce the risks of breast cancer while honouring those battling the disease, and others who have lost the fight.

Our customers too should get involved! And we encourage them to support our initiatives and engage with our content on social media @DigicelJamaica — whether by leaving a kind message, sharing our awareness posts, or even sharing their inspirational stories of hope, we welcome everyone!

We are just as excited about supporting awareness throughout the wider community, for which, the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) continues to champion the cause and provide opportunities for breast cancer patients, survivors and their families to get treatment and support. Please continue to support the JCS in all that they do. We believe the conversation must continue beyond October so that all of us can successfully meet our targets to improve the rate of early detection and reduce cancer-related deaths.

On that note, the Digicel family urges you to take the opportunity this month to learn how to safely conduct a breast self-examination as part of your early detection routine. Become empowered to take control of your health and your life; after all, there’s only one you.

Here are some useful resources on breast cancer: visit the JCS’s website at https://jcs.live or their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages. For psychological support, contact the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ helpline at 888-ONE-LOVE (663-5683). The National Health Fund also offers support for cancer patients.

Although breast cancer continues to be the leading cancer among Jamaican women, by combining our efforts to provide practical support that can lead to life-extending results, together, we will win this fight. I personally encourage women and men to talk with their doctor about screening, knowing that early detection and treatment does save lives.

Digicel salutes all breast cancer warriors.

— Human resources director, Christine Morrison