by TONY BEST

BARBADIANS in the United States are giving $50 000 this year to two organisations here involved in the fight against cancer.

The newly-formed Barbados Cancer Association of the United States (BACA), has decided to donate US$15 000 to the Multiple-Myeloma Lymphoma and Leukaemia Foundation of Barbados and US$10 000 to Cancer Support Services. The money is part of the proceeds of last year's cancer benefit in New York City.

"The US$25 000 will be distributed in two allotments between mid-April and September," said Jessica Odle, Barbados' Consul-General in New York and chairman of BACA. "Both organisations are doing vital work by informing people about the various forms of cancer, providing support and other services to people suffering with cancer and otherwise aid patients so they can lead comfortable, and in many cases, prolonged lives."

The latest donation would bring to almost US$100 000 the amount given by the Bajan-Americans in four years.

The funds to the foundation "will be used in part" to boost the Dalton Durant Memorial Haematological Cancer Registry. Some would also be used for the foundation's patient care programme.

"The foundation is quite clear about where it is going with its work," said Odle.

Cancer Support Services planned to use the money "for the ongoing work in Ward C12 of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital", she added.