The wife of the Premier appealed yesterday to the public to back Breast Cancer Awareness Month, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kristin Burt, the patron of the event, said this year’s theme of “I Believe in Pink”, was inspired by the late Audrey Hepburn, a British Hollywood star and humanitarian.

Ms Burt said: “We have experienced, and continue to experience, the effects of Covid-19 on our daily lives. We have witnessed the Black Lives Matter movement abroad and, here at home, we lifted our voices in support of equality and justice.

“We have survived two hurricanes and an election. To make it through all of this we have had to lean on each other for support. The theme appropriately reminds us today to ‘be strong even though it seems like everything is going wrong’.”

She was speaking as the event was launched at the Hamilton headquarters of major supporter, insurance company BF&M. The monthlong series of events will include the annual BF&M Breast Cancer Awareness Month Walk on October 14 — although those who take part will have to walk alone or in “social bubbles”.

Money raised will go towards the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s equal access fund to help people get cancer screening and treatment they might not be able to afford and to prevention and early detection programmes.

Ms Burt said: “2020 has been intense both here in Bermuda and around the world. Although we cannot all walk together as in years before, we can continue to enjoy the health benefits of a good walk with friends and family in the safety of our respective bubbles.”

BCHC said that women aged 40 years and older should use Breast Cancer Awareness Month as their annual reminder to schedule a mammogram — “the gold standard screening tool for breast cancer”.

The BF&M Breast Cancer Awareness Walk after event will be held online.

John Wight, the BF&M chairman and chief executive, said that the company would organise a virtual event after from 5.30pm on October 14.

He said: “We will be hosting a live celebration on our Facebook page.

“We will be featuring host Nikita Robinson, there will be music by DJ Chubb, speeches by distinguished guests, cancer survivors and walk participants who will share touching and inspirational stories of why they walk.”

Mr Wight added a prize draw over the virtual event for everyone who took part in the walk.

Lynne Woolridge, the chief executive of BCHC, thanked BF&M for 24 years of support for the event and the public for its participation.

She said; “BCHC is all about early detection. We also have a series called Know Your Lemons and we have certified lemonistas.”

She told women: “We have a set of lemons in egg cartons in various states of disrepair that represent the various stages of breast cancer, so we encourage women to ‘get to know your lemons’ so that you can detect breast cancer as early as possible.

“BCHC offers mammograms and, most importantly, we believe that everyone should have equal access which is what our fund is about to ensure that no one has to forego life-altering detection and treatment because they may not be able to afford it.”

Ms Woolridge added supports could organise a Denim Day with family, friends or colleagues, or a “Girls’ Night In” fundraiser and invite “Lemonista” for an educational talk.

Breast cancer is the No 1cancer for women in Bermuda — one in eight will be diagnosed.

• To join in, register at Race Day World and walk anywhere, any distance, at any time in the #iBelieveinPINK2020 shirt. For more information visit www.chc.bm