Pink ribbon of courage for Novlene

We hail the courage with which the athlete Novlene Williams-Mills has confronted her breast cancer and her decision to speak out as a survivor.

If there is anything to be disappointed about, it is that we would have liked her revelation to have been in Jamaica, perhaps related to an event such as the Jamaica Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

That, however, doesn't diminish what Mrs Williams-Mills has done and the inspiration it is likely to be to other breast cancer sufferers and survivors - as has been the case with the American movie actress Angelina Jolie after she disclosed her preventative double mastectomy.

That Mrs Williams-Mills ran for Jamaica at the London Olympics - being in the final of the 400 metres and being part of the 4x400m silver medal team - is a statement of courage and fortitude.

A year later, after surgery, she will be on the track again for Jamaica at the World Championships in Moscow. No medal in Moscow would be greater than the place she will have earned in the hearts of millions.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.