Tara Playfair-Scott champions breast cancer awareness with Payless
WHEN marketing and public relations specialist Tara Playfair-Scott learned about her breast cancer diagnosis in May 2016, her world instantly crumbled. Playfair-Scott, who is Asafa Powell’s publicist, distinctly remembers placing an order for Chinese food moments before making her way to the doctor’s office.
“It was just a regular day until I met with the doctor and she told me that I had cancer. I wasn’t expecting that diagnosis at all,” she recalled. “It basically felt like I had left my body and the world had stopped. I was in disbelief.”
Fast-forward to one year later. Playfair-Scott is now back on her feet after successfully completing six rounds of chemotherapy. She states that her illness was simply a bump in the road, and she had to stay positive in order to get through it all.
On account of her fighting spirit and positive energy, Playfair-Scott was approached by Payless ShoeSource Jamaica to serve as brand ambassador for their annual Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) campaign.
“I feel that it is extremely important to find creative ways to support breast cancer awareness, research and treatment, and Payless must be commended for doing just that with their BCA campaign,” she said. “I am very happy that I can be a part of it and I will support it in any way I can.”
Playfair-Scott has opted to remit 100 per cent of her payment from Payless to the Jamaica Cancer Society, noting that this will be able to assist many people who are fighting the disease.
“Having gone through treatment, I can say that it is a very expensive process. Having any illness can be financially devastating to anybody. So if I can help by turning over my funds from the BCA initiative to others so that they can get adequate treatment, I am happy to do so,” she said.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Payless will “Embrace the Cause” through the sale of their specially crafted BCA bracelets and the pink and grey Champion Gusto sneakers.
The footwear retailer has also renewed its commitment to the Mahima Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting the Hope Institute — Jamaica’s only hospital for cancer care. As a result of the long-standing partnership with Payless, the Mahima Foundation has been able to renovate their chemotherapy room.
