Novlene Williams-Mills moves Keeping Abreast Luncheon

Jody-Anne Lawrence, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) and Jamaica Reach to Recovery's annual Keeping Abreast Luncheon was not only informative, but moving with the presentation by breast cancer survivor Novlene Williams-Mills.

The function that was held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel was filled to capacity with survivors of this dreaded disease, supporters, and persons who have lost family members to the illness. This is the 13th year of this event which the society sees as important to inform women about the disease as well as to give tribute to the women who have won the battle against the disease.

Therefore, it came as no surprise to have the most recent public figure that faced the disease as guest speaker, Novlene Williams-Mills. Her moving and at some point teary speech, spoke about her battle with not only accepting that she had the disease but overcoming it.

"When I learned that I had cancer, I felt a sense of betrayal, anger, sadness, denial; and those were only a few," Williams-Mills told the guests.

However, it was her husband who helped her along the way when she started her fight. "He gave me great memories during a hard time of my life," she said, and for which she thanked him.

There were also guest selections as singer and songwriter Shanya sang Donate to Save a Life, a song she had written after her grandmother lost her fight against the disease.

On a lighter note, there were tributes to the breast cancer survivors, songs by Karen Smith and tokens by Consumer Brands.

Director of the JCS, Yulit Gordon, advised women on the importance of early detection and doing the necessary tests that will aid in this.

The event ended with the vote of thanks by Maria Gayle, public relations officer of Jamaica Reach to Recovery. Guests were sent away with small tokens from Sagicor.

Photos by Colin Hamilton/Photographer