Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer

Sandals and Beaches Negril Resorts took the message of breast cancer awareness to residents of Negril, Westmoreland, during the third staging of its Breast Cancer Awareness Walkathon on Saturday, October 27.

The two-hour-long event, dubbed One in Eight Walkathon: The Fight against Breast Cancer, saw close to 30 employees and community members walking throughout Negril square and a section of the Norman Manley Boulevard distributing brochures prepared by the Jamaica Cancer Society and speaking to road users about healthy lifestyle choices and the importance of mammograms in fighting the disease.

"We are always thrilled to continue to show our support for this very important cause, and knowing that we have just conveyed the significance of joining the fight against breast cancer with both men and women is a rewarding feeling for the team," said Philipp Reutener, Sandals Negril's hotel manager.

Janice Williams, a resident of Whitehall in Negril, Westmoreland, was particularly impacted by what she learnt after her interaction with the walkathon participants. "My aunt died from this disease four years ago and I never developed the courage to go and do a cancer screening because I feared the results," Williams said.

"After speaking with the Beaches representative and reading the information in the brochure provided, I think I am going to take that test, especially seeing that I consume more than the suggested amount of alcohol on a daily basis," Williams added.

After the walkathon, participants engaged in an energetic aerobics and kick-boxing session conducted by the resorts' fitness instructors and trainers from Fit Life and Fashion. A breakfast meeting and planning session on the next breast cancer awareness event followed.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com