GTT lends support to cancer patients
−CT scan and radiation therapy to be covered for patients
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Eight cancer patients have received some $3Million in grants from GTT to assist with their care and treatment.
The funds were garnered from the company’s Pinktober awareness activities held last October and will cover the costs for treatment provided locally. It will allow for diagnostic screening via computerised tomography (CT) scan and radiation treatment.
Pinktober Coordinator of GTT+, Diana Gittens told DPI the presentation ceremony was being held in observance of World Cancer Day, which is observed on February 4. She disclosed that the GPHC would also be suggesting other patients to receive the financial support this month.
“It is our intention to help more patients. As a company, we know how challenging it is to access cancer treatment. The cheapest CT scan starts at $30,000, to access radiation therapy, the total cost can be $800,000, and many of our people cannot afford it,” Gittens said.
Cancer survivor, Anna De Morias relayed that it was due to the support from many, including the government and NGOs, for cancer awareness that she lives to tell her story.
“As cancer patients, we need the support and I thank God. I was diagnosed with cancer in my right-side breast in 2008 and by the end of that year, the cancer spread to my left side lungs and the doctors gave up on me. I was on treatment for many years then in 2018 it came back again this time in the vagina and it was at stage two.”
De Morias added that she hopes her story will touch lives and spread the message that with the proper care and support, cancer is no longer a death sentence.