Author: Shelly Alphonso

To Super Women

Your worth is not in the things you do
Your worth lies in your care and through
You go beyond your limit in life
You are so strong from inside
You sacrifice for that one smile
You are there for people you love all the while
You are a true woman of substance
And a big salute to you in life
Happy women’s day to you!
Being so pure and true! (Women’s Day Poems)

PHILIPSBURG:— The “Drive for the Cure” on October 31, 2021, was a fantastic way to close the month-long breast cancer awareness campaign. There was a large turnout for the motorcade which included cancer advocates, survivors, warriors, and supporters from both sides of the island.
The breathtaking motorcade of roaring engines of motorbikes and cars thundered through the streets of St. Maarten decorated with pink flags, balloons, and other decorative items. Participants rode and drove to raise public awareness and in solidarity with many lives touched by cancer. Creatively the Drive for the Cure idea was conceived by emerging our annual pink parade and bikers for boobs rally with the 10th Anniversary of CIBC First Caribbean Bank Walk for Cure, the region’s largest cancer fundraiser.
Globally, October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year, 2021, the Positive and Elektralyets Foundations organized several pink events during the month of October aimed at increasing the awareness of breast cancer, encouraging warriors, survivors and those who understand the importance of staying in tune with their health, that getting checked is important in saving lives in our community. The events encompass screening opportunities, education, fundraising, fitness, and awareness activities.
The foundations kick-off event, the Pink Sunset Sail, was held on Saturday October 2, 2021. Each year this event, now in its 6th year, is organized by Aqua Mania Adventures and along with sponsors raised funds through ticket sales and raffles. Proceeds amounting to US$4K was raised to continue the foundations quest to boost Breast Cancer Awareness on the island of St. Maarten for research, screenings, awareness activities, projects, and education. New fundraising initiatives included the Full Moon Paddle hosted by Trisport and Clink for Pink hosted by the Amsterdam Cheese Shop. Schools like Montessori, Caribbean International Academy (CIA) and St. Maarten Academy PSVE also raised funds and contributed to the cause.
Education initiatives during October 2021 included breast and prostate cancer awareness presentations to the staff of Courthouse, FLOW, Port of St. Maarten, United Hands for St. Martin Association, the Women’s League of the Cole Bay Methodist Church, and an interactive breast cancer awareness presentation by Dr. Chobanyan of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine AUC). The later event was recorded and will be replayed via social media platforms. The foundations along with support from AUC and Collective Preventive Services (CPS) felt that the presentation of the “Risk Factors of Breast Cancer” was very important and should not be missed. Airing dates will be announced soon. The foundations also distributed, for free, breast and prostate cancer education literature.
Screening initiatives gave 206 women the opportunity to get a free clinical breast examination and 64 men to get a free prostate examination at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). These screenings, which were much anticipated, were conducted by specialists, nurses, and doctors from various departments at SMMC including general surgery, gynecology, cardiology, radiology, internal medicine, emergency room and urology who volunteered their time to assist with the examinations. Examinations were conducted on September 25 and October 23, 2021, with a large amount of pre-registered participants and small number of walk-in participants. These screening projects give the opportunity for student doctors of AUC to assist SMMC Medical Specialists, the community was offered free blood pressure and glucose monitoring and CPS and Ministry of Public health was on hand to administer the covid 19 vaccine. Screening is an important element in the fight against breast cancer and therefore the foundations have committed and partnered with the SMMC to cover the cost of 100 free mammograms for uninsured women on St. Maarten.
In the fight against cancer, physical activity is an important way in which we can reduce our risk for developing cancer. Therefore, the foundations always ensure that physical activity is included in its month-long campaigns. This year the Pink and Blue “Ya Gotta Get Checked Fitness was held on October 31, 2021, at 6 am at the Mullet Bay beach in collaboration with NAGICO, Monster Factory and Mullet Bay. Over 100 participants experienced a warmup exercise followed by a circuit of 10 training stations geared towards all fitness levels and abilities. Participants were treated to a free t-shirt, towels, sunglasses, refreshments like Smalta from ILTT and water, and apples from Divico.
Fitness Attitude, recognizing the importance of physical activity also hosted a Zumba Glow Session in collaboration with the foundations on October 29. Participants were treated to a spectacular night of Zumba with leading trainers like Learie and Nico and special guest speaker Bella.
The month-long breast cancer awareness campaign would not be complete if we did not pay tribute to and encourage our warriors not to give up the fight, survivors and those who understand the importance of staying in tune with their health, the importance of getting checked, and those who have lost the fight.
Together with partners like Kooyman, Prime Distributors, and the Cole Bay Methodist Church, warriors, survivors, those who are currently engaged in the fight, and those who have lost the fight were celebrated, encouraged, supported, and remembered. Furthermore, we hoisted two “Get Checked” flags at two strategic locations – the Courthouse on Frontstreet, and Lexwell’s Attorneys at Law Office at Harbor View in Philipsburg.
The Positive and Elektralyets Foundations said that “While the pandemic has challenged our resources it has also dared us all to think outside the box. It has also highlighted how important and fragile our health is if we do not take care of ourselves. Many of us may have overlooked getting our annual physical because of the challenges associated with the pandemic, while some of us may have questioned why you should see your doctor for an annual physical exam if you are feeling generally healthy. One good reason is checking in with your primary care physician can confirm that you have no underlying health risks that need attention. Or an exam may lead to an early-stage diagnosis of some kind, which means you could receive treatment sooner with better outcomes.

We encountered and overcame many challenges in executing 2021 events, but with a dedicated team of partners, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and participants it was all worth it.” The Positive and Elektralyets Foundations would like to give a special thank you to all the partners, sponsors, volunteers, and participants for their continued support for the Breast & Prostate Cancer Awareness campaign.

In 2020, the foundations, embraced the challenges related to the Covid 19 pandemic, pivoting the in-person screening campaigns by introducing their Pink and Blue Faces poster campaign.

The Pink and Blue Faces are women and men in our community that have volunteered to be part of our ongoing campaign to inspire, stimulate and strengthen our call to action to help save lives in St. Maarten.
The women featured as the Pink Faces are survivors, warriors, and even one that has lost the fight against breast cancer. Through their courage and dedication to the cause and the desire to educate others to “Feel it, Find it, Fight it!” when it comes to breast cancer awareness, the journey continues. The Pink Faces remind us of those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, those who have survived it and those who are still engaged in the struggle against it.
The Blue Faces are also warriors, survivors and men who understand the importance of getting checked and staying in tune with their health as men. While prostate cancer is a huge taboo on our island, the foundations hope that “MAN UP and CHECK UP” slogan will appeal to the macho men in our community and start the discussions among men older than 45 years and their health care providers.
The Positive and Elektralyets Foundation is calling our entire community to action to “GET CHECKED!” as breast nor prostate cancer does not discriminate, and it could affect the ones we hold dear to our hearts. Help us help our community and let us be proactive in the fight against Breast and Prostate Cancer and stand together as one to help save lives!
The breast cancer awareness movement launched in 1998 by the Positive Foundation has collaborated with the Elektralyets Foundation for over 10 years in the fight to save lives with its early detection messaging.

The prostate cancer awareness campaign launched in 2019 by the Positive Foundation, Elektralyets Foundation, and the St. Maarten Medical Center.

On Saturday, October 23rd, 2021, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) will resume its annual breast cancer screenings in collaboration with the Positive Foundation and the Elektralytes Foundation. From 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, attendees have the opportunity to receive free clinical breast exams carried out by SMMC’s Medical Specialists and assisted by student Doctors of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC).

In addition to breast cancer screenings for women, SMMC will also offer free blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring for men and women, and CPS and the Ministry of VSA will be on-site to administer first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Attendees will also have the option to receive information on the vaccine and breast cancer.

To avoid long lines and allow for proper social distancing, pre-registering for breast cancer screening is strongly encouraged. Women over the age of 20 are asked to email communications@smmc.sx with their name and phone number to register. Once registered, the attendees will receive a confirmation of their appointment time. Walk-ins are welcome.

To ensure the safety of all attendees and volunteers, SMMC’s universal masking policy remains in effect and will be enforced. Persons making use of breast cancer screenings and the health checks will also be subjected to a temperature check and SMMC’s COVID-19 questionnaire.

SMMC kindly asks that persons who are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, vomiting, and diarrhea avoid attending the event but encourage them to make an appointment once they are no longer experiencing symptoms.

Breast cancer screening is available year-round at SMMC’s Radiology Department and appointments can be made by calling + 1 (721) 543-1111 extension 1360.

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) – The streets of St. Maarten were painted spectacularly pink on Sunday with CIBC FirstCaribbean’s ‘Drive for the Cure’ motorcade. 

The event, in partnership with the Positive and the Elektralyets Foundations was a creative fusion of the bank’s Walk for the Cure and the foundations’ ‘Pink Parade’ and ‘Bikers for Boobs’ rallies. The motorcade saw a large turnout of advocates of cancer awareness, prevention and good health through support from both sides of the island. Participants on motorbikes and in vehicles decked out with pink flags, balloons and other decorative items, rode to raise public awareness and drove in solidarity with the many lives touched by cancer. 

A milestone, as the bank celebrates 10 years of the region’s largest cancer fundraiser, the walk took place across its 16-member footprint. “Despite the continued challenge that Covid presents, our first ‘Drive for the Cure’ was a great success. Seeing the cars and bikes in pink on our roads was inspiring and brought a lot of hope to the many families affected by this disease. 

It would not have been possible without the collaborated efforts of the Positive and the Elektralyets foundations and the Caribbean Eagles Club. Gratitude also to the dedicated CIBC team – with these joint efforts we will continue to bring awareness and raise funds for cancer”, stated Walk Manager, Petra Abdul-Hamid. 

The walk has raised over USD$2.9 million over the past nine years. All funds of this year’s event will support the great efforts of the Positive Foundation. They, along with the Elektralyets Foundation concluded their month-long campaign with Sunday’s event. 

“The ‘Drive for the Cure’ was a fantastic way to close the month-long breast cancer awareness campaign. We encountered and overcame many challenges in executing this event. However, it was all worth it as the breathtaking motorcade and the roaring engines of the motor bikes and cars thundered through the streets of St. Maarten on Sunday aimed at encouraging warriors, survivors and those who understand the importance of staying in tune with their health and that getting checked is important in saving lives in our community.”, said Positive Foundation President, Shelly Alphonso. 

Their initiatives, such as screenings gave 206 women the opportunity this year to have free clinical breast exams. A Pink Sunset Sail fundraiser, an Interactive Breast Cancer Awareness Presentation, a thanksgiving church service, and beach fitness event were among the activities hosted by the two foundations. Through such events they have tirelessly worked towards raising the collective awareness and they continue to stress the importance of early detection and overall wellness. 

CIBC FirstCaribbean, the Positive and Elektralyets Foundations are very appreciative of the support of the participants and all their sponsors for their continued commitment to the cause.

PHILIPSBURG–The Positive and Elektralyets Foundations held a “Drive for Cure” motorcade on Sunday, October 31.

  The pandemic required that the foundations think outside the box. Therefore, the idea of emerging the annual pink parade and bikers for boobs rally with the 10^th Anniversary of “Walk for Cure” creatively became the “Drive for Cure”.

  “We encountered and overcame many challenges in executing this event,” the foundations said in a statement on Monday. “However, it was all worth it as the breath-taking motorcade of the roaring engines of the motor bikes and cars thundered through the streets of St. Maarten on Sunday aimed at encouraging warriors, survivors and those who understand the importance of staying in tune with their health, the getting checked is important in saving lives in our community.”

The Positive and Elektralyets Foundations extended their gratitude to all sponsors and participants for their continued support for Breast Cancer Awareness. “The Drive for the Cure was a fantastic way to close the month-long breast cancer awareness campaign the foundations concluded,” said the foundation.

  The motorcade consisted of three different Bikers groups: Caribbean Eagles St. Maarten, Tribal Hogs, the Rider on Two as well as many other individual bikers.

  Approximately 100 participants were on motorbikes and about 50 or more cars all decorated with signature “GET CHECKED” pink flags and balloons.

  The motorcade started at the Caribbean Eagles Club in Orange Grove road Cole bay. The rally then made its way to Philipsburg, Pointe Blanche, Sucker Garden, Bishop Hill, Zagersgut, South Reward, back to Cole Bay, Maho and ended the First Caribbean International Bank CIBC in Cole Bay.