BORN out of one young person’s desire to support the cause of cancer research, Cancer Conscious Youth has grown from 20 members in 2008 to 45 registered members today.

Since then, members of the group have joined the fight against cancer by aligning themselves with the Jamaica Cancer Society and through participating in the organisation’s yearly fund-raiser, ‘Relay for Life’.

But what do all the members of Cancer Conscious Youth have in common?

Most have been acquainted with people who have lost their battle with cancer or know someone who is still fighting the disease.

One Cancer Conscious Youth, Prudence Hall, told the Jamaica Observer in a recent interview that the team has grown in numbers and has also been able to strengthen their contribution to the Jamaica Cancer Society each year.

Outside of participating in Relay for Life, the team has also produced awareness commercials and hosted fund-raising events.

Now in its third instalment, this year’s major fund-raisiing event is “Purple Passion – Knock out Cancer”, which is slated for the Lava Lounge in Portmore, St Catherine, on May 30.

Hall said it is a dance party plus a performance show and that every artiste on the line-up, which includes Kalado, Louie Culture and Hezron, among others, will be performing for free in support of the cause.

She said that outside of enjoying performances from a good mix of artistes, those who attend Purple Passion will also be able to meet people who are suffering from the condition and others who are recovering.

The Cancer Conscious Youth explained that all the funds raised from Purple Passion, with ticket prices set at $800 presold and $1,000 at the gate, will go directly the Jamaica Cancer Society.

Do you have to know someone afflicted with cancer to get involved?

“You don’t have to have a family member who has died from cancer to join the group or somebody who is experiencing cancer in order to be a part of the group,” Hall explained. “In a similar manner, you do not have to have somebody who is suffering from cancer to want to help other people who are suffering from cancer.”

She said that if interested in joining Cancer Conscious Youth, all one has to do is send an email to cancerconsciousyouth@gmail.com.

“You don’t pay a due to join the group, just register, join the group, and start to work because it is all about work,” Hall insisted.

Hall told Your Health Your Wealth that the message from Cancer Conscious Youth is simple: “Young people can make a difference. Don’t wait until cancer invades your home, play your part, fight the fight and help find the cure.”