On July 2, 2013 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and CARICOM Lead for Human Resources, Health and HIV/AIDS, Dr. Denzil Douglas described the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) as an example of functional cooperation and a triumph of the spirit of regionalism. The HCC applauds the new Director Dr. James Hospedales for his vision and commits to working closely with CARPHA to ensure that the civil society voice is represented at the highest levels of public health action in the Caribbean.
In Dr. Hospedales' speech he commented: 'As a small Agency facing a large task, partnership and networking will be key and I will pursue this approach strongly, to include civil society as an equal partner. And I take the opportunity to say to Prof Hassell, Chairman of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, that I felt so happy when I saw your note of last Thursday, that PM Portia Simpson-Miller of Jamaica had signed the e-petition calling for an end to cervical cancer, which is so preventable, affecting mainly women who are poor. We fully support your petition'. In attendance at the launch were: President of the HCC, Professor Trevor Hassell; HCC Directors, Debbie Chen, Dr. Victor Coombs, Joanne DeFreitas; HCC Social Media Content Creator, Kimlin Harrilal; and HCC Manager, Maisha Hutton. For more information on Carpha visit their website at www.caprha.org or check them out on facebook.
Guardian General Group of Companies donates to the Caribbean Cervical Cancer Electronic Petition - Guardian has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting civil society action against NCDs, in particular women's health, by supporting the first of its kind regional Cervical Cancer E-Petition.
The Guardian holdings group of companies has taken a decision to effect a corporate social responsibility policy focused on encouraging individual and societal development by supporting efforts to improve the health and well-being and the communities and territories with the company operates. In this regard the group is committed to playing active role in Cooperation with community minded organizations in furthering the wellness of our communities.
Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, Wife of the Prime Minister, Special Envoy for Women and Children and a cancer survivor, has signed the Caribbean Cervical Cancer E-Petition
Without hesitation. Mrs. Barrow signed the petition in support of the Belize Cancer Society official launch of the petition on July 2nd, 2013. President of the BCS, Laura Tucker-Longsworth was extremely pleased with the success of launch and noted that key stakeholders including Dr. Gerardo De Cosio PAHO/WHO Representative in Belize and other members of the health and wider community, and all major radio and television stations were in attendance. In addition to the launch, the BCS in partnership with Belize Telecommunication Ltd., has initiated a series of text message blasts about the petition urging customers to sign. The BCS is also establishing a cadre of Ambassadors which consists of representatives of the key business offices and organizations who will be trained to participate in wellness activities for the BCS including encouraging their colleagues to sign the petition. The HCC, commends the BCS, one of its major members, for the remarkable effort in the promotion of this important initiative.
For more press coverage see links below:
For more information on the Belize Cancer Society at www.belizecancersociety.org.bz or on facebook.
Sagicor promotes the Cervical Cancer E-Petiiton - Sagicor Life Inc., a major partner and funder of the HCC, will be encouraging its staff and customers across the region to sign the HCC cervical cancer e-petition. The insurance company has launched an internal campaign to sensitise staff to the cause and direct them to the user friendly electronic petition. Read more
Go to www.endcervicalcancernow.org and sign the petition
Trinidad and Tobago West Indies cricket star Dwayne Bravo supports the petition - West Indies ODI captain Dwayne Bravo took time out of his busy scheduke to pledge his support for the End Cervical Cancer Now e-petition. He asks that the people of the Caribbean mirror the great support of West Indies cricket in support of the e-petition. See the video here
HCC Directors get a tour of the Trinidad & Tobago Cancer Society, longstanding members of the HCC.
General Manager of the TTCS, Nicole Jordan gave HCC President and Directors a full tour of the TTCS offices. There was a buzz of activity at the offices as the TTCS prepared for its Annual Family Fun Day.
Cayman Islands Cancer Society launches cervical cancer e-petition Led by Dr. Sook Yin of the CICS, the cervical cancer e-petition was officially launched in the Cayman Islands. Please click here for more details. To find out more about the CI Cancer Society visit their website at www.cics.ky or on facebook.
Civil Society Alcohol Advocates Come together at a PAHO sub regional meeting on alcohol policy In a recent PAHO Alcohol Meeting held in Belize June 25-27, 2013, the HCC and Health Action Partnership International/UK Health Forum joined forces to support the participation of 9 civil organisations leading the way in alcohol policy and prevention in the region. One of the key objectives of the meeting was to discuss ways to effectively implement alcohol policy and plans of action through a multisectoral approach including a wide range of stakeholders such as NGOs and civil society. For the HCC, this activity forms part of the larger HCC/HAPI-led Caribbean Civil Society Alcohol Advocacy Capacity Strengthening Initiative. Next steps include further capacity building in the area of alcohol advocacy and the development of a regional network of NGO advocates addressing priority alcohol issues. Any civil society organisation working in this field and interested in becoming a part of this initiative, is encouraged to contact the via email at hcc@healthycaribbean.org or maisha.hutton@healthycaribbean.org. See links below for general press coverage of the meeting.
TTCS Annual Family Fun Day Family, food and fun came together on Sunday 7, July for The Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society’s Annual Fun & Family Day at Siegert Square, Woodbrook. Children and adults alike lined up to participate in the various fun filled activities from ‘Punch Board’, ‘Pick a Card’, ‘Spin the Wheel’, ‘Cat in Bag’, ‘Hoopla’, ‘Tin Pan Alley’ and the ever popular “Stepping Stones’. Read more
Men in Heels! - Prostate Cancer awareness takes a new twist on Friday 12th July at the Queen's Park Savannah for Men in Heels. See men dash for cash in a minimum of 3" heels for a chance to win 10K. Hosted by local radio station Hott93 proceeds go to the Trinidad & Tobago Cancer Society . Among the various sponsors the Society will be present distributing brochures and coupons for prostate Cancer screening. The society's mobile will also be present. The winner will also receive free prostate Cancer screening at the TTCS CLINIC. Check TTCS FB page for the TV ad or email telephone the TTCS at (868) 622-6827. Read more
HCC Helping Smokers Quit in Barbados - In partnership with the US Department for Health & Human Services and the National Cancer Institute, the HCC members, Barbados Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados and the Diabetes Association of Barbados are piloting a smoking cessation mHealth project aimed at assisting smokers to quit. Any male or female smoker living in Barbados, aged 18-65 years who owns a mobile phone is eligible to participate. Participation is free of cost and spaces are limited. Interest individuals should contact the HCC at 435 7486 or email at hcc@healthycaribbean.org. Read more
Govt. to tackle cervical cancer through introduction of HPV Vaccine NASSAU, The Bahamas - The Government of the Bahamas is in discussions with the Merck company regarding the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine into the public healthcare system for females who are most at-risk for cervical cancer, Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Perry M. Gomez said Thursday. Read more
Global Campaigns Update: ECOSOC and WHO Euro Vienna Conference on Nutrition and NCDs 5 July 2013 On July 4-5 the WHO European Ministerial Conference on Nutrition and Noncommunicable Diseases in the Context of Health 2020 was held in Vienna. The conference brought together high-level government officials, WHO representatives, as well as relevant NGOs including the NCD Alliance and the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF International). Read more
HCC News Roundup Archive - If you have missed any of our News Roundups you can view previous Roundups on our News Roundup Archive webpage here
HCC Features - Previously featured Members, events and news can now be found on our HCC Featured webpage here
Ms Joanne Defreitas- Cordinator of the UNI Americas Caribbean Support Center and a Director of HCC commented during the signing by PM Douglas that ‘The support of CARICOM Heads of State is a tremendous show of leadership and a powerful statement in support of the voices of Caribbean people requesting enhanced screening and prevention of cervical cancer for our women and she is confident that the labour movement throughout the region would fully support the petition”. HCC Member-Cancer societies from across the region are leading and promoting the petition, and playing their roles to empower individuals and promote agency and activism in their countries around this very important issue. The HCC and its members believe that No woman should die of cervical cancer and through collective action Caribbean people can END CERVICAL CANCER NOW. The HCC is urging all Caribbean people to visit 
