Cancer Concern Association elects new committee |03 February 2020
The newly elected CCA executive committee. Chairperson Peggy Vidot is 5th from left (Photo: Joena Meme)
The Cancer Concern Association (CCA) elected its new executive committee last Saturday during its annual general meeting at the Exiles Club in Victoria.
The new chairperson and the new vice-chair are Peggy Vidot and Patricia Francourt respectively.
For the first time in the association’s existence, more than 80 people attended the annual general meeting.
After serving on this association for more than 20 years, Bishop French Chang Him stepped down as chairperson. He presented his last chairman’s report by giving an overview of last year’s activities that CCA undertook.
He also congratulated the new board and expressed his hopes for the new management team and the vision for CCA.
The new chair, Mrs Vidot, talked about her association with the organisation since its creation and noted that this association was the idea of her deceased friend, Suzy Chang Him, who passed away in 1996.
“My friend asked us to continue her dream and mission and I am happy to be able to be of service again. CCA has been doing a wonderful job for the community and we will keep focusing on that. Cancer cases are increasing in Seychelles and one of our main roles as CCA is to work with all stakeholders and partners and put more emphasis on the prevention of cancer. We will also bring on more activities for early detection and care of cancer. We will also look at the need of the patients and try to address them in collaboration with other private and public organisations,” said Mrs Vidot.
Besides Mrs Vidot and Mrs Francourt, the other committee members are Gina Laporte (secretary), Meryl Descombes (treasurer), Brian Orr, Dinaz Karkaria, Bernadette Furneau, Maggie Bristol, Dr Annia Rousseau, Emelyne Shroff.
Talking to Seychelles NATION, Mrs Francourt went through the calendar of activities of 2019. “CCA ran the October Cancer awareness month with five partners: National Assembly, K Radio, National Sports Council, Seychelles Women and Sports Association and the Ministry of Health. The launch was initiated by the women’s caucus of the National Assembly. Events during the month were: - ‘Brave the shave’ event with K Radio; we had 12 radio ‘live sessions’ to raise awareness on cancer and its management; ran 3 blitz programmes to raise awareness on cancer & offer screening (partner MOH); with NSC as a partner ran a sports day at Freedom Square and a family participation for art projects.”
Other programmes in 2019 included ‘Hope for kids & parents’ project (supporting children & parents who have lost a close family member through cancer); took 40 children to Silhouette Labriz sponsored by Kempinski resort; counselling for families diagnosed with cancer & grief counselling; closer links with its partners to formalise working partnerships; participation in Eco friendly run to raise funds for a CCA centre; home visits to patients and families and increase of support to families on overseas treatment.
On Saturday, Barclays Bank donated the sum of R16,000 to the CCA.
Vidya Gappy
