Crowds in pink lined the streets of Hamilton yesterday afternoon to support the fight against breast cancer and those still on their cancer journey.

The 29th Annual BF&M Breast Cancer Walk, organised by the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, set out from Barr’s Bay Park with the goal of raising $200,000 for breast cancer support services while spreading the word about the need for early screening.

Brenda Dale, associate head of wellness at event sponsor BF&M, said everyone is affected by breast cancer in one way or another.

Ms Dale said: “When you go to your office, sometimes you don’t know who has been on the journey, who is still on the journey. In our case, we have several staff members who have come down with cancer.

“Having the community rally together is really important not just for the person who is going through it, but everyone.

“When we have the survivor ceremony and you see all those people up there, it lets you know that all of these people have been through it and they are here to talk about it. It gives a lot of people hope.”

Ms Dale added that the event also gave attendees a chance to connect with organisations that are geared towards helping people with their cancer journey.

She added that BF&M has sponsored the breast cancer walk for 29 years in support of the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre and efforts to ensure equal access to care.

Ms Dale said: “While we are an insurer and we try to provide health benefits for people to take care of themselves, there are people who are uninsured or underinsured may not have access to such support. The equal access fund provides that.”

Deborah Titterton Narraway, the chief marketing and fundraising officer at the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, said the annual event was valuable not just as a fundraiser, but as an opportunity to bring those touched by breast cancer together.

She said: “This event is important to the island because it gives those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and those supporting people with breast cancer an opportunity to feel supported. To learn and to share.

“One in eight women will learn at some point in their life that they have breast cancer.

“Until people hear the words that you have breast cancer or you have cancer, they are not thinking about it. It’s as simple as that.”

Kishana Peniston, a cancer survivor, said that it was extremely important to encourage women to get screened and get screened early.

Ms Peniston said: “It’s good for women to check themselves because if it’s caught early, it can be treated early and you have a better chance of surviving.

“Know yourself, know your breasts and do your tests. Women need to know that they should start early and to know how to look for it.

“This event is a great opportunity for people to get together and talk about their experiences with breast cancer. It’s a good place to be.”

Daniel Moore, the son of a breast cancer survivor, said that he felt it was important to come out and show his support.

Mr Moore said: “Breast cancer is not just a female thing. It’s a community thing. Behind every patient there is a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a husband, friends.

“It’s important to get the message out there so that people can make the right choices for their health. Cancer is a scary thing, so you need to make sure you give yourself the best chance to fight it.”

Shakira Warner, head of population health for BF&M, also highlighted the importance of spreading the word about breast cancer screening.

She said: “The earlier that individuals are screened and the earlier that the breast cancer is found, the earlier that treatment can happen, that intervention can happen. Of course, that means better outcomes.”

Ms Warner added that while this year would be the last to carry the BF&M name, the company is committed to supporting the event next year and in the years to come under the new Allshores label.

She said: “This year we asked people to go into their closets and bring shirts from past breast cancer walks, maybe the first breast cancer walk that they ever did.

“There are a lot of the older shirts out there, which is a nice throwback. A walk down memory lane.”

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