U-17 footballers engage in Breast Cancer awareness activity

As Guyana observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has partnered with the Guyana Cancer Foundation in spreading awareness to the members of the public.

This kicked off with a tree-wrapping exercise which saw the participation of four members of the National Under-17 female team – Siacy Adams, Shontel Greene, Latesha Sutherland and Tiandi Smith – who assisted in the wrapping of trees along Camp Street.

Following the activity, Debra Francis, Communications and Public Relations Officer of the GFF, said the organisation was excited about this partnership. “As part of our corporate social responsibility, it’s critical that the GFF plays its role in promoting social causes such as breast cancer. We have an expanding female stakeholder group, including players, who potentially can be affected by breast cancer so it has become imperative that we educate and empower ourselves and activate our involvement in the community. We’re happy to partner with the Guyana Cancer Foundation in this cause.”

President/Founder of the Guyana Cancer Foundation, Bibi Saeedah Akhtar Hassan, said she was happy for the participation of the National Under-17 team and expressed gratitude to the GFF. “I wish to take this opportunity to thank the ‘Lady Jags’ for participating in the year’s event.” 

For her part, captain of the National Under-17 Women’s team, Adams said she was happy to participate: “As a national team player, I’m just delighted to be a part of the breast cancer awareness month activities and be doing my part to spread awareness of breast cancer because a lot of people are affected by breast cancer.” 

Greene echoed similar sentiments when she said: “I feel happy to come out here to spread awareness of breast cancer. It’s important I play my part to help people become knowledgeable about this condition.”  

This is the second year the GFF has partnered with the Guyana Cancer Foundation, the first in 2016, when three members of the senior Men’s national team – the Golden Jaguars – participated in the activity and, the Secretariat’s staff participated in the “Wear It Pink” Day and the awareness walk.  

Additionally, the Golden Jaguars wore pink specially-designed breast cancer awareness jerseys during their warm-up session in their game against Jamaica. For this year’s observance, the GFF will again participate in those activities except for the Golden Jaguars’ warm-up.