This time next year the Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association will be ready to move into its new facilities on Point Finger Road, equipped with a state of the art interactive Cancer Resource Library.

It is an eagerly awaited move as the association has outgrown its current home on Cedar Avenue, a building that is up for sale.

The Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association, in conjunction with its ever-present sponsors, BF&M, is celebrating the sixth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October with a host of activities.

Activities will start a the fun walk next Wednesday and culminate with a TV presentation on Thursday, October 24 (ZBM, 8 p.m.), entitled 'Taking Charge' when information on the latest in Breast-Ovarian cancer study conducted in Bermuda will be released. Also the role genetics plays in breast cancer and what a cure for breast cancer really means will be discussed.

Other activities during the month include: 'Tell a Friend Tuesday' on October 8, a fashion show and tea with breast cancer survivors modelling, and the Partner Re 5k women's race on Sunday, October 13. Coffee Cup Day is on October 16 when the public is invited to perculate and participate by donating 50 cents with each cup of coffee purchased at Rock Island Coffee, one of the sponsors.

On Wednesday, October 23, the general public is invited to particpate in an open discussion on the genetic ties to breast cancer with visiting specialists Dr. Kevin Hughes of Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Jennifer Ligibel of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and local Oncologist Dr. Jean Walters. That forum will take place at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute at 8 p.m.

Last year, dozens of women who have died from breast cancer were remembered during Breast Cancer Awareness Month when their photos were placed at City Hall for the month. They were women from all walks of life.

This time those who are living with breast cancer will be recognised under the theme 'The Face of Breast Cancer is...Life!', showing there is life with and after breast cancer. Other survivors are urged to come forward and participate next year.

All of the funds raised during the various activities will go towards the new facility which is being built at a cost of $4.9 million.

"I'm extremely pleased to say that we have raised in pledges $3 million as of last Thursday," said Bermuda TB Cancer and Health Association president Judy Simons who estimates the new building will be "at least three times the size" of the current building.

"It is roughly 13,000 square feet that we're moving into. As far as office facilities, they are greatly enhanced, everybody will have more efficient office space with the latest technology that we're able to provide for them through our fund raising campaign.

"We also have some new facilities going into the Cancer Resource Centre, that being the library itself which was very innovative and a totally new project to Bermuda."

The association currently provides services to more than 17,000 residents a year and works with other organisations such as the Bermuda Diabetes Association and breast cancer support groups. On average, between 600 and 700 mammograms are carried out every month, an increase of about 38 percent from the previous year.

"We're also offering an ultra sound department which I think will help alleviate some of the overload that our other facilities are providing here in Bermuda," said Mrs. Simons.

"Corporate Bermuda and the individuals throughout the Island have been very, very generous in seeing the need for this new centre. The construction date is on schedule for completion at the end of June next year, and we're hoping to be in residence by the fall of 2003, depending on what circumstances in the next 12 months take place."

TB Cancer and Health is one of the oldest charities in Bermuda, having been in existence close to 55 years and having been on Cedar Avenue nearly all of that time.

"We have definitely outgrown our usefulness here, in every aspect of the operation of TB Cancer and Health," Mrs. Simons acknowledged.

"In the last six years the good work of Rachel Andrade and our education department has made TB and Cancer one of the leading institutions in Bermuda for education, early detection and prevention.

"The growth has come largely in the last five or six years and more importantly in the last year with the capital campaign and the desire to have this new facility in place."

As the new facility will not be easy walking distance from Hamilton (which helps to accomodate those women working in the city), the Cancer Resource Centre may have to consider more flexible hours, the president revealed.

"So that the women can feel comfortable coming either in the early morning or right after work and not just in their lunch hours," she stated.

"We are still on the main bus line so accessibility to the facility is still very strong.

"Right now we have 13 paid members of staff and we envisage adding another five just to meet the needs of all the facilities that we are adding."

For more information contact Rachel Andrade at 296-7288, fax 295-5291 or email racheltbchotmail.com