DONATIONS to the Barbados Cancer Society are down by almost half of what was received last year.

Figures from the Pink Ribbon Drive, which is the main fund-raiser, have not yet been finalised but treasurer of the sub-committee, Sonya Alleyne, said the projection was between $50 000 and $60 000.

Alleyne said last year was an exceptional year for the society in terms of donations, which tallied $110 000. The average intake per annum is between $70 000 and $80 000.

She attributed the drastic decline to the global economic crisis.

Even though donations are low, compared to previous years, she said the situation was still "good" because corporate Barbados and individuals were still giving.

According to her, those who were giving $100 previously had reduced it to $50, and the dollars had gone down to coins.

The Cancer Society operates primarily from donations. One of its biggest investments in recent times was a new state-of-the-art direct digital mammography unit, which cost just over $1 million and will give faster mammogram results.

Alleyne was speaking during the launch of the direct digital mammography unit at the society's Henry's Lane, Collymore Rock, St Michael office yesterday.

Each week, on average, breast cancer takes one life and four to five new cases are diagnosed.

Even though breast cancer affects mostly women, the message of breast health was being taken to men as well, Alleyne said. (YB)