For most Belizeans suffering the harsh effects of cancer, the cost of treatment is so prohibitive that early death is the likely end result. In an effort to provide badly needed financial support to cancer patients, a group of Belizeans in New York have recently established the Belize Chemotherapy Organization of New York, Inc.
President and founder, Mary Usher Swales, met Amandala this weekend at the Caribbean Park Fest in Harlem, where she introduced us to the goals and objectives of the organization.
Swales pointed us to the organization’s mission statement, which is “to fund chemotherapy treatment in Belize, to mothers, fathers, grandparents, young adults and children who are touched by cancer.”
The organization says that its responsibility is to promote cancer awareness, sharing information not just with patients suffering from the disease, but also with their families and the country at large.
The organization hopes to accomplish its goals by focusing on long-term education/awareness programs about cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as HIV/AIDS among Belizeans – all in an effort to improve the longevity of fellow Belizeans.
The Belize Chemotherapy Organization can be reached through Mrs. Swales at phone (201)-330-8302 or e-mail [email protected].