361 breast prostheses donated by FFP

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFPJ) donated 361 breast prostheses valued at approximately $2.6 million to the Jamaica Cancer Society and its social outreach arm, Jamaica Reach to Recovery, on October 14.

The prostheses were handed over at FFPJ’s head office in St Catherine. They were sourced by Food For The Poor Inc in the United States and are for women who have lost their breasts to cancer.

Offering gratitude on behalf of the society, Yulit Gordon, executive director, said the timing of the donation was perfect.

She said the Cancer Society has seen a significant increase in the number of women accessing their mammography screening services since the start of the month. In addition, she shared that the Government of Jamaica has made available to the country’s most vulnerable HER2-positive breast cancer patients Herceptin Subcutaneous, a new and effective drug which will serve to improve the health outcome for these patients.

“Receiving this donation is the icing on the cake. We will ensure that the beneficiaries are those who need it most. To be able to equip these women to enhance their lives and provide them with some amount of comfort is a blessing, and we are truly grateful,” Gordon said.

Added Susan Moore, FFPJ director of recipient services:

“Food For The Poor Jamaica recognised that there was a great need in Jamaica for breast prostheses, so when our head office, FFP Inc, contacted us, we immediately thought of contacting the Jamaica Cancer Society to receive this donation. We also recognised that prostheses could be quite costly to cancer survivors, and Jamaica Reach To Recovery would have direct contact with most of these needy individuals. This is a significant demonstration of our interest in the most vulnerable groups in society.”