THE Jamaica Cancer Society’s primary fund-raiser, Relay for Life, will return this year on Saturday, June 10 after a three-year break.

The event is scheduled for Police Officers’ Club in St Andrew starting at 6:00 pm and ending at 6:00 am.

Noting that Jamaica Cancer Society is 68 years old, board director Lincoln Robinson said that for the duration of the organisation’s existence it has been at the forefront in the fight against the disease.

“We have been committed to awareness building, screening, advocacy and fund-raising,” Robinson said at the recent launch of Relay for Life 2023.

“As we get ready to restart Relay for Life, we invite all Jamaicans to join this noble effort. We’re not cancelling and cannot afford to cancel Relay for Life; we must continue. I want to encourage all Jamaica — friends, families at home and abroad and even those in the diaspora to make Relay for Life 2023 the best because this year… marks our 21st staging of this annual event,” he said.

The event — which generally includes gathering cancer survivors and their caregivers, family, and friends under the stars to honour loved ones fighting cancer and mourn those who have died — will be held under the theme ‘Walking together with hope’.

Guest speaker at the launch, Dunstan Bryan, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring all Jamaicans have access to the best cancer care.

“I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge what the Jamaica Cancer Society is doing,” said Bryan.

“Every diagnosis of cancer is $10 million, and… our trajectory is causing us much concern in the Ministry of Health. There is no public health system that can be able to finance all of what is necessary to treat what is coming to us if we do not pivot to prevention.

“I want to acknowledge that at the Ministry of Health we have not done enough to walk with you, and as permanent secretary, I want to say that we must address this gap. We must walk together, and we must create hope,” added Bryan.

The Jamaica Cancer Society says the money raised from the event will be used to offset the costs of screening services for vulnerable men and women, as well as assist with public education programmes and contribute to global cancer research.

The public is encouraged to sign up for the event by calling 876-927-3317 or e-mailing jamaica.cancersociety@gmail.com to participate.