The annual cancer walk held every February 4th to commemorate World Cancer Awareness Day was canceled in San Pedro Town due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the San Pedro Cancer Society encouraged residents to reach out virtually to anyone battling the life-threatening disease. The solidarity walk, usually held from the central park, see islanders from all backgrounds, including the business and education sector, along with tourists at times. The activity, which takes participants through downtown San Pedro is complete with a moment of silence in remembrance of those who have succumbed to the disease.
The alarming issue of this illness even prompted Prime Minister Honourable John Briceño to issue a statement calling on Belizeans to spread awareness.“Wе muѕt аlѕо ѕрrеаd аwаrеnеѕѕ оf thе іmроrtаnсе tо соmе tоgеthеr аnd fіght аgаіnѕt саnсеr аnd еduсаtе thе уоuth оf tоdау wіth thе knоwlеdgе wе hаvе gаіnеd thrоughоut thе уеаrѕ wіth аdvаnсеmеntѕ іn ѕсіеnсе аnd mеdісіnе, аnd соntіnuіng tо рuѕh fоr еаrlу ѕсrееnіng, ѕаvіng mаnу рrеvеntаblе dеаthѕ,” Вrісеnо ѕаіd.
This year the annual celebration was observed under the theme ‘I am and I will,’ focusing on how efforts can influence the worldwide impact of cancer. According to information from the Pan American Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the American continent. In 2020, about 14 million were diagnosed with cancer, and 1.4 million persons died from it.
