The fight against cancer has been bolstered in the last few years by the Marionettes Chorale, who raised $98,100 for the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society at the opening night gala of their 45th Anniversary concert series.
Sponsored by bp Trinidad and Tobago and entitled Holiday Moods, this year’s annual fundraising event took place on December 4th , to the delight of a packed Queen’s Hall.The Marionettes and bpTT, the group’s corporate sponsor bpTTsince 1972, also held a free matinee performance on December 6th for senior citizens, children and the disabled.
The funds raised from the opening night gala will be used to assist continuing initiatives that will create awareness and education, and support research in the fight against the disease.
“The distribution of information is essential in the fight against cancer,” noted bpTT Chairman and CEO Robert Riley. “If, through our efforts, one more person decides to seek information or get screened, then we would have succeeded.”
The mission of the Cancer Society is to develop a programme of activities to fight cancer through education and early detection, and alleviate the suffering of those affected by cancer, and their families. “It is through the efforts of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society, along with corporate support, that we can stem the advance of cancer,” noted Riley.
According to the World Health Organization, over 40 per cent of all cancers can be prevented, and one third could be cured if detected early and treated adequately. The National Cancer Registry of Trinidad and Tobago reports that one in 15 men may develop prostate cancer, and one in 25 women may develop breast cancer. In the four years between 2000 and 2004, there were 9,652 new cases of cancer and 6, 484 cancer deaths in Trinidad and Tobago.
Since their début in 1963, the Marionettes Chorale has received both national and international acclaim. In the coming year, as part of the Chorale’s 45th Anniversary celebrations, the group will begin construction of a new multi-arts performance and rehearsal space. The Marionettes Chorale also will be partnering with selected arts-in-education organisations to offer workshops in the performing arts, and will continue to host charity performances for the underprivileged and to support causes like the fight against cancer.
