Several media houses in the country, including Jones Communication Network (JCN), are partnering with the Cancer Society of The Bahamas for its inaugural $3 million building fund telethon.

President of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas Laverne Wildgoose said, “Bahamian leaders including business persons, government officials and professionals will pool their efforts to handle phone lines and volunteer their time for the first ever national live telethon.”

“The event will raise money for a critical cause and bring out families to hear live entertainment and personal stories,” she added.

The campaign is specifically geared towards doubling the size of the Cancer Caring Center and creating the countries first hospice.

Mrs. Wildgoose said while service has been given to more than 800 patients since the opening of the center, the lack of rooms poses a serious problem.

“So many people from the Family Islands and Caribbean islands including Grand Turks have no way to stay when they are diagnosed and treatment is delayed endangering their chances of recovery,” she said.

Also partnering with the Cancer Society’s initiative is Atlantis, the host of the event.

Retired senior executive at Atlantis, Mr. J. Barrie Farrington noted that, “having been heavily associated with the fundraising side of the cancer society for a short while has created a cradle of hop for those who are suffering with cancer.”

Mr. Farrington added that they are hopeful that this telethon will create impotence for people to come forward to contribute money.

Moreover, long time Cancer Society volunteer Susan Roberts said to date, the society has been able to help mainly family islanders, but aim to aid Nassau’s residents on a daily basis.

“Many go to the oncology clinic and other doctors offices, receive treatments then go home to an empty house or a house full of confusion,” said Roberts.

“What we want to offer though, is a day-care facility with some of the rooms on the facility being converted to hospice care, a new concept for this country, but one that has taken off worldwide.”

JCN Marketing and Sales Director Kristen Jones said the partnership is a gratifying venture and the company is more than elated to be involved with the initiative.

“This disease might not have directly affected me or you, but we all know someone who is either a survivor of this disease, or we remember the person or persons who have lost their life to this disease,” Jones said.

“The telethon will be able to educate and sensitize Bahamians about the cancer society, which is also something we do at Jones Communications as an avenue to increase our footprint as a corporate citizen.”

The telethon is set to take place on May 31 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Imperial Ballroom.