SUPPORT US!
11-year-old cancer survivor appeals for Relay for Life aid
ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD CANCER survivor Shanusca Brown of Trinity in Port Maria knows what it means to be in need. During her battle with leukaemia over the last couple of years, it was the Jamaica Cancer Society St Ann/St Mary branch that came forward and supported her, helping to provide funding for the chemotherapy sessions. Now that her cancer is in remission, little Shanusca wants to show her appreciation for the support she got. After going public with her thank you at the branch’s launch of Relay for Life 2017, set for August 26 at Turtle River Park in Ocho Rios, Shanusca spoke briefly with Rural Xpress. “I’m appealing to all of the people in Jamaica, can you come out and support Relay for Life for me please?” she begged. According to her, it was important that people support the cause. “There are a lot of cancer survivors and patients in Jamaica, and they need the support,” she pointed out.
Set back by her illness, Shanusca will finally make it to grade five come September, However, her mom, Yvette Lawson, is more concerned about the health of her daughter and is quite happy that she is on the road to recovery. “I’m feeling so much better that the cancer is in remission, and I’m so proud of her. She has responded to treatment and she’s doing well; as far as I can see, she is doing well medically,” Lawson stated. She said her daughter is always in high spirits, even during her illness, and she is even more upbeat now. She has joined her daughter in appealing for support of Relay for Life. “I’m appealing to the people to support Relay for Life,” Lawson appealed. “When you come and support, we all benefit because they (Cancer Society) have helped me with Shanusca over the years in funding us to do the chemotherapy, and we lift our hats to the cancer society. So I’m begging you please, Jamaica, wherever you are, just come out and support.” Meanwhile, chairman of the branch, Marilyn Williams, is hoping for better support this year. “The target this year is $5 million, same as last year, which we didn’t reach. We only made $3.8M last year, and at the moment, things are not looking so bright. “I’m appealing for support because I’d like to have more people on the team because they need to be educated about the cancer and to raise funds to help the people. Every day someone comes to the office needing more and more,” Williams pointed out.