A year after the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to many celebrations and events, Grenada city officials were not going to let that happen this year, especially when it comes to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The parking lot of the Lewis Johnson Senior Citizens Complex became a sea of pink last Tuesday as hundreds of survivors and supporters turned out to raise awareness of breast cancer and celebrate those who have beat it.
The month of October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and officials say it’s a time to bring awareness to early detection and advancements in breast cancer treatment.
For the first time since the pandemic began, the center’s parking lot was filled with cars and people taking part in the Breast Cancer Awareness Parade. The parade route left the senior citizens complex onto Martin Luther King Boulevard. From there, it traveled to Cherry Street, then to First Street, Main Street, South Street and back to MLK Boulevard where it returned to the center.
“It’s been a year since we brought everyone together, so it’s just such an amazing feeling knowing that we can bring all of our constituents down here and do it in a safe way,” Grenada Community Service Director Cassandra Liddell said.
Liddell hopes that people walked away from the event with more education and awareness about the disease.
“So we want people to know that coming down and really being aware and feeling everyone’s emotions, that’s great, but we want people to remember what we’re doing,” Liddell said. “We hope to see a cure for breast cancer.”
Attorney Tangala Hollis Palmer served as the guest speaker for the event reminding the majority women audience that there were three important details about breast cancer.
“There have been improvements in medical technology and more people are surviving,” she said. “There are five stages to breast cancer, so know your status. Lastly, early detection is the key. Be sure to get a proper health screening.”
