LIME Foundation last Wednesday launched its Cancer Fund for Children with a whopping $4.5 million and immediately identified the first two beneficiaries — 11-year-old bone cancer patient Lloyd Dacosta and six-year-old Asanti Lewis, who has Leukaemia.

The money was raised from the Foundation’s second annual ‘LIME 6k Run for the Children’ held in January this year.

“Last year, when we announced that the proceeds of our annual 6K run would go towards supporting children with cancer we had no idea how successful we would be in relation to how much money we would raise. Today, we are very pleased with the result and the overwhelming support of our sponsors,” LIME Foundation Executive Chairman Errol Miller told guests attending the launch at Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston.

The money will provide well-needed assistance in off-seting the cost of specialised medical care for paediatric patients battling cancer.

The fund will be managed by LIME and dispensed to patients on the recommendation of Bustamante Hospital.

“There are so many facets, both medical and otherwise, that are involved in caring for children affected by the disease. This is why we have decided to throw our support behind families who cannot afford to pay for treatment for their youngsters,” Miller said.

He also highlighted the many burdens faced by the families of young cancer patients, which can be devastating and have life-changing consequences.

Miller thanked all corporate bodies that supported the fund-raiser, and encouraged the public to continue supporting the cause through the dedicated text line — 444-4273.

The text line, LIME said, will be opened 24-hours and all funds raised from messages received will go directly to the LIME Foundation Cancer Fund.

In pledging the Foundation’s commitment to expanding the fund, Miller stated that future stagings of the LIME 6K as well as the ongoing text-line initiative will be dedicated to the cancer fund. The Bustamante Hospital will be the portal through which future beneficiaries will be identified.

In addition to the cheque, Flow, which partnered with LIME, donated two refrigerators and a nebuliser to the hospital.

Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, in his remarks, reiterated the financial woes of families affected by cancer.

“We have recognised that cancer is one of the things that moves families below the poverty line,” he said and pointed out that cancer care is high on the ministry’s agenda.

He thanked the foundation for the work being done in assisting those affected by the illness, and noted that road races have given direct support to the health authorities’ thrust to increase physical activity among the population.

His comments were supported by Dr Andrei Cooke, chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority, who said that the Ministry of Health is serious about cancer care in the country.

He noted that Dr Ferguson recently signed a contract for $14 million to purchase two linear accelerators to provide radiation treatment for children with cancer.