THIRTY women across the island’s western parishes have received free mammograms through the Sandals Foundation.

This moves to 130 the number of women supported with free mammograms by the foundation this year as it continues efforts to promote breast cancer education, testing and awareness across Jamaica.

Sandals Foundation, through its partnership with the Westmoreland-based Misty Blue Cancer Care Foundation, identified and committed to sponsoring mammography tests for women from: Mount Grace, Darliston, Petersfield, Belmont, Whitehouse, Savanna La Mar, Bethel Town, Negril, New Works, Bath Mountain, and Petersville.

These communities, since the start of the year, have been served through health fairs, medical presentations and demonstrations carried out by the Misty Blue awareness campaign.

Sandals Foundation in 2021 sponsored 20 mammograms for community women in Westmoreland and Hanover. This year has seen an increase in the number being sponsored as the need continues to increase.

“It is very important for us to continue to spread the message that early detection saves lives. Many females especially in Westmoreland and Hanover have little to no access to mammogram screening as the closest location to do this is in Montego Bay, St James.

“The cost is also a contributory factor that prevents many at-risk women from getting their annual mammograms. Sandals Resorts Negril, the Sandals Foundation and Misty Blue have, over the years, committed to conducting numerous educational sessions in communities, popular town centres, in schools for parent-teacher conferences and at the resorts. During these activities, free and discounted mammogram vouchers are always provided to those in attendance,” shared Jervene Simpson, regional public relations manager for Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Negril.

Dorothy Satchwell, breast cancer survivor and founder of the Misty Blue Cancer Care Foundation, welcomed the partnership with the Sandals Foundation.

“Since the launch of the Misty Blue Foundation in 2015, we have established a relationship with the Sandals Foundation and they have been instrumentally supportive in all the areas of our outreach.

“Each year, even during the pandemic, the Sandals Foundation has collaborated with us in giving support and welfare packages to both those who have gone through or are going through their cancer journeys. They have also been instrumental in the preventative and educational aspect sponsoring mammograms, helping with transportation to get their tests done and staying in contact with us for any additional support that may be needed,” said Satchwell.

The Sandals Foundation also partners with the Jamaica Cancer Society to sponsor free mammograms for women in St Ann and St Mary, with some 100 women benefiting from the service last month.