Opinions may vary, but among one of the greatest challenges of this generation is the epic battle with cancer. The scars of the exchanges run deep, whether physical or emotional. Families have been mauled, and lives and ambitions upended as the varied forms of the illness leave their mark.

Science continues to aid in waging a formidable fight, but victory remains a ways off.

What is, however, not in contention is that early detection impacts success.

Despite many public education campaigns, Jamaicans have not responded as proactively as hoped. What’s more, successive administrations have not fuelled and funded the support services to assist those citizens who turn up in the public health-care system for imaging, diagnosis, and treatment.

Enter the work of organisations such as Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) and programmes such as Relay For Life.

This year the objective is to raise enough resources to purchase one new mammography machine.

Weather permitting last evening, hundreds should have turned out in support of this mission, under the theme’ Wild for a Cure’.

The Jamaica Cancer Society is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to the prevention and control of cancer in Jamaica. Established in 1955, the society provides screening services, education programmes, and patient support to individuals and families affected by cancer.

The 25th anniversary staging of Relay For Life at Police Officers’ Club was planned to feature a health fair offering free cancer screenings, including Pap smears, mammograms, and prostate tests, as well as blood pressure and blood sugar checks.

It is customary that such an event brings together survivors, caregivers, families, sponsors, volunteers, schools, churches, service clubs, community groups, and corporate teams in support of cancer awareness, early detection, survivorship, and patient assistance.

A release from JCS quotes its Executive Director Roshane Reid-Koomson as saying: “Cancer is expensive. Who feels it knows it. Every week, persons call us or send direct messages asking for help with diagnostic tests such as CT scans, biopsies, and treatment-related expenses. Early detection remains our best chance for an optimal outcome, and a new mammography machine will strengthen our ability to serve more women and support families, reducing the need for late-stage cancer treatment.”

Plain and simple, it is a call for help; the kind of help that moves the needle.

Breast cancer overcomer Mrs Lois Walters recalls how a mammogram led to further checks, a biopsy, and a diagnosis in November 2017. She said her journey included multiple surgeries, removal of lymph nodes, chemotherapy, radiation, pain, fear and long periods of uncertainty. She also spoke about the support of her husband, children, doctors, nurses, family members, colleagues, friends and church family.

The attainment of more such success stories requires active involvement of the leaders of our land to make the necessary investment in the substructure needed to make screenings of all types possible and accessible.

One more machine helps, but if we are honest with ourselves, more is needed to create the impact needed in this mission.

Events such as these help, but the magnitude of the challenge calls for more than seasonal acknowledgement from the nation’s leaders.

For his part, JCS Chairman Earl Jarrett said Relay For Life remains central to the society’s national cancer prevention advocacy and fund-raising efforts.

“Relay For Life reminds us that the fight against cancer requires sustained partnership, public education, access to screening and collective action,” he charged.

Would that the powers that be listen, respond, and assign the requisite priority and resources to fortify and sustain the fight so that the relay never ends.