Association is expert at.

Each year since 1945, thousands of letters and packages have passed through the local postal system carrying the colourful stickers bearing the trademark double red Cross of Lorraine upon them.

From the purchaser's point of view, at just $1 for 50, Christmas seals are one of the best buys of the festive season. From the Association's standpoint, they are an invaluable source of revenue.

Since the early days of Christmas seal sales, and the Bermuda Tuberculosis Association -- as today's organisation was originally known -- the work of the Association has been greatly expanded, and its value to the community is incalculable.

"We do so much,'' said public relations spokesman Mr. Ed Smith. "For example, we are the largest mammography unit on the Island, and do two-thirds of all mammograms here. By year's end we will probably have done at least 4000 -- that's a 25 per cent increase over last year.'' In fact, the Association is currently working hard to achieve its all-important accreditation from the Canadian Society of Radiologists.

"The objective of accreditation is to achieve and maintain the highest standard of mammography possible,'' full time Association radiographer Mrs.

Gillian Bamber explained. "This standard is set by an independent board or panel of radiologists -- in our case the Canadian Society of Radiologists (CSR).'' With the recent acquisition of a processor to develop mammography films, the Association had met the necessary accreditation criteria.

"We are working towards accreditation by June next year, but it takes time and involves monitoring both the mammography unit and the processor on a daily basis, which we will be doing over a period of several months,'' Mrs. Bamber said.

Like Mrs. Bamber, the Association's part-time radiographers are currently taking all the necessary courses and examinations for the accreditation board.

In addition, its radiologist, Dr. Eugene Harvey, has acquired all the necessary expertise required by the CSR.

And why all the fuss to be accredited? "It is important for the women of Bermuda to know that they are getting the same standard of care here as anywhere,'' Mrs. Bamber said. "It's quite an achievement for a small concern like TB, Cancer and Health.'' "The main aim of accreditation is to assure people of the quality of our work,'' Mr. Smith assured. "In other words, you won't get a better mammograph by going away. Nobody has any better equipment on the Island and nobody up North would have anything better either.'' Best of all, perhaps, is the fact that the Association's fees for mammograms are the lowest in Bermuda.

Because the equipment is so expensive to maintain, Mr. Smith said revenue from Christmas seals was a vital source of income, and he urged the public to buy plenty.

But mammography is not the only string to the Association's bow. It also provides medication and related equipment for diabetics and ostomy patients at reduced prices, and office space to the Bermuda Diabetic Association, the Patients' Assistance League and Service (PALS), and the Bermuda Ostomy Association.

"We supply medication, syringes and test strips for diabetics at cost price,'' Mr. Smith said. "Nobody else can provide this service at the rate we do.'' It is not, however, a walk-in service. Diabetics must produce a doctor's prescription, and trained staff at the Cedar Avenue headquarters also keep a careful check on prescription dates. After so many refills, the patient must return to his or her doctor for renewal.

"About 25 per cent of known diabetics use our service, and usually they are members of the Bermuda Diabetic Association, 'though we don't turn away anyone who isn't,'' Mr. Smith noted. "We do well over a quarter of a million dollars a year in volume. The majority of our clients don't have medical insurance. In fact, a lot of people don't realise that they can claim on insurance for diabetic supplies.'' For ostomy patients, there are big savings on regular retail prices for their equipment.

"Ostomy equipment is extraordinarily expensive, so we sell it to clients at half price, which means that basically we subsidise half the cost ourselves,'' Mr. Smith explained. "And we also get calls from visitors when they run short of supplies.

"So you see the name Bermuda TB, Cancer & Health Association covers a multitude of functions.'' Although it owns its own building, the Association is faced with growing operating costs and, like most registered charities, increasing competition for the donor dollar.

"With subsidies we give to organisations such as the Ostomy Association, the purchase and maintenance of new equipment, and salaries, we have to raise $50,000 a year to cover expenses, and that figure is growing,'' Mr. Smith warned. "Last year we only raised $38,000 in our annual appeal. So this year we really do need the help of the public more than ever.'' In fact, the Association's work load has grown so much, particularly in the mammography section, that it has had to take on additional staff to cope, and now employs three full and four part-timers.

"Even though there is a mammography unit at the Hospital, it would be difficult to replace us for the variety of services we give,'' Mr. Smith remarked.

As to why the Association's Cedar Avenue headquarters was so popular, Mrs.

Bamber suggested it was because "people like the choice of having somewhere else to go''.

"It is important to have choices,'' she said. "And it is also a place where people feel comfortable.'' Mr. Smith suggested there was also a philosophical attraction. "By setting up a regular routine (for mammograms), we are dealing with well people, whereas when you go to the hospital you are dealing with sick people. That is why our whole philosophy is different -- we are into preventive medicine.'' Christmas Seals are now on sale in all post offices, Phoenix stores, and grocery and convenience stores Island-wide.

UP AND RUNNING -- Bermuda TB, Cancer & Health Association radiologist Mrs.

Gillian Bamber operates the newly-acquired mammogram processor. Costing nearly $20,000, it allows mammogram films to be developed on site.

ALL FRIENDS TOGETHER -- Representatives of the Bermuda TB, Cancer & Health Association and other organisations gather for a photograph. They are (left to right) Mr. Winton Cann (Bermuda Ostomy Association), Mrs. Maria Rose (Bermuda Private Nursing Agency), Mrs. Elaine Harrington (the Association's executive secretary), Mrs. Audra Mitchell (PALS), Mr. Graham Mocklow (Bermuda Diabetes Association).