DECKED out in pink at the 2026 Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards on Monday, breast cancer survivor and advocate Sandra Samuels stood as both a symbol of survival and a reminder that the fight against the disease is far from over.

Samuels, who received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for her contributions to entrepreneurship and breast cancer advocacy, said her work to ensure that no Jamaican woman faces breast cancer alone must continue as women still struggle to access early screening and treatment.

She said her experience with the disease has strengthened her determination to help other women.

“I’ve been an entrepreneur for 32 years — and that is my absolute calling — but my passion is for breast cancer because I’m a 26-year breast cancer survivor and my goal is that no woman in Jamaica should be left alone, because surviving cancer is a very challenging situation. And so as a support group — not only supporting but giving financial support — that has to be done in this country because no woman should go through this alone,” Samuels said.

As president of Jamaica Reach to Recovery, Samuels has helped lead efforts to provide emotional and financial support to women affected by breast cancer. The organisation also stages the annual Pink Run in October which raises money to help women meet the cost of care.

Samuels said the event was introduced to bring greater attention to breast cancer and encourage women to get screened, warning that some continue to seek medical attention only after the disease has advanced.

She stressed that raising awareness alone is not enough, arguing that women must also be able to access screening and treatment regardless of where they live.

“We have to continue going because, if women get early detection their lives can be saved. And not only that, we have to improve the treatment, the access to treatment, that women can get because we have 14 parishes and six parishes still do not have access to mammography, which is untenable,” Samuels said.

After receiving the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer at King’s House on Monday, breast cancer survivor and advocate Sandra Samuels, OD tells the Jamaica Observer that her goal is that no woman in Jamaica should be left alone because surviving cancer is a very challenging situation. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

The breast cancer warrior said the work of Jamaica Reach to Recovery is bigger than any one person and would continue beyond her time as president.

“The work is far from done… I mean, it’s a sisterhood… we are over 150 strong, so when I demit office as president there’s always somebody else to come after me. But this work is never done. As long as cancer is ‘keeping’, the work is never done,” she insisted.

Despite the challenges, Samuels said she felt honoured that her years of work had been recognised by the country.

“I’m feeling great. I’m feeling honoured. You know, when you work you don’t really work for thanks, and when the country recognises your work, I’m very proud,” she said.

Samuels’ involvement with Jamaica Reach to Recovery began in 1999, the year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. A member of the organisation had visited her after a mutual friend asked her to offer support. The visit helped Samuels see the value of survivors supporting others through the uncertainty of a diagnosis, and she joined the organisation soon afterwards.

She later recognised that breast cancer education needed to reach more women. In 2000, she helped take the organisation’s Pink Run into the streets as a way to raise awareness and funds for women needing care. She became president of Jamaica Reach to Recovery in January 2023.

Beyond breast cancer advocacy Samuels has also been involved in community service through Rotary. During her time as president of the Rotary Club of St Andrew North in 2015 she helped establish a barbering programme at Alpha Boys’ School, supporting the development of practical skills among young men.

Her work has earned recognition in business as well as community service. In 2009 she received the National Commercial Bank Nation Builders Award for Women Business Owners.