Tourism department makes donation to Cancer Concern Association  |12 November 2021

The presentation ceremony

It was in a small ceremony held at the Botanical House, on November 10, 2021, that principal secretary for tourism, Sherin Francis handed over R10,000 to the secretary of the Cancer Concern Association, Gina Laporte, as part of the tourism department staff’s contribution in the fight against breast cancer in Seychelles.

The handing over was done in the presence of the director general for human resource and administration Jenifer Sinon, director general for marketing Bernadette Willemin, director general for destination planning and development Paul Lebon alongside some members of the organising committee of the Pink October Bake sale event.

Although intimate the Pink October Bake sale, organised by the tourism department’s team to mark the international Pink October Breast Cancer awareness month, was a remarkable success and demonstrated the strong support the department’s staff has for those affected by breast cancer. 

Homemade goodies such as cakes, local juices and other bites on sale were donated by the team members and generated R8,000 in sales which was added to funds raised by the department last year in a different activity.

Speaking on behalf of the organising committee, Janice Bristol, senior quality and standards officer, affirmed that the activity allowed everyone to come together for a worthy cause. "It was good to see our small community come together with such enthusiasm and generosity,” said Ms Bristol.

Expressing her gratitude to the tourism department’s staff for the donation, Ms Laporte said, "Chapeau to the tourism department for leading the country forward for the recovery of our economy and for supporting the opening of our border so cancer patients can once again travel for treatment."

Ms Laporte stated that with each donation the association receives they pledge to educate the public regarding topics relating to the illness and encourage self-awareness.  She is humbled beyond words that the tourism department has taken the initiative to look back and reach out to contribute to the association’s cause. She added "this contribution is momentous because every drop in the bucket helps us help our patients and helps us have a sharp vision of what we can do, to reduce the risks of cancer and detect it early. The energy of the tourism team is symbiotic, and I wish to emulate everywhere I go!"

On her part, PS Francis thanked her team for coming together for their initiative in organising this event. "I would like to commend the team for their initiative. I believe it is not by chance that our first activity as a department was one for charity as it shows our close ties to our small local community.  I am proud and honoured to be the one to represent our team effort," said Mrs Francis.

Press release from the tourism department