Bahamas News
Nine Challenging Months Births Single Mom’s Cancer Survival Testimony
#TheBahamas, October 30, 2021 – In a span of nine challenging months last year, Anya Adderley overcame pneumonia, COVID-19, cancer related port placement and bilateral mastectomies surgeries, two emergency room visits, hospitalization, and sixteen rounds of chemotherapy.
“Every day I wake up, I am grateful and thankful,” says breast cancer survivor, Anya Adderley. “I look for the positive in everything that comes my way. If it’s anything to do with negativity, I just don’t take it on. Last year was the trial, this year is the testimony.”
The 44-year-old’s journey through these health-related challenges began after she felt a lump in her left breast during a self-examination. Anya, who had to postpone her annual physical due to the March 2020 start of COVID-19 travel restrictions, eventually brought the lump to her sister’s attention in September who advised she get it checked, which she did during her gynecologist check-up a few weeks later.
Following her doctor’s advisory and subsequent mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, Anya received the results noting malignancy and a Stage 2 Breast Cancer diagnosis.
“Mentally I was preparing myself for it because from the time I felt the lump and I felt it growing, I knew it would be possible for it to develop into breast cancer,” said Anya.
“I said to God, ‘I’m going to promise you two things and I ask one thing of you: whatever it is, please, just give me the strength to deal with it and I promise you: 1. I’ll never question you and 2. Never complain.’”
October 27 marked the day she received news that her place of work was ceasing operations. Anya, with just four months of health insurance available to her, had to process both difficult news items, but quickly started the process to plan the best way forward to beat breast cancer.
She said, “A lot of people treat cancer as a death sentence but I didn’t see it as that. I just saw it as something God brought me to, so I knew He would bring me through it. That was my belief that I held on to and still hold on to every day.”
Andre, Anya’s now 9-year-old son, was also the single mom’s source of motivation. Despite extreme hair and weight loss, soreness, mouth sores, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, giving up the fight and giving into cancer, was not an option.
Anya also thanks, for their continued support, her immediate family, which includes her mom, Edna, two sisters, Sabrina and Julanda, as well as other family members, friends, St. Andrew’s Church, and her work family from its George Town and East Street and Soldier Road locations.
Declared cancer free on July 19 2021, and now going through post-double mastectomy reconstruction, Anya’s advice is for everyone to pay attention to their body, to take their health seriously, get regular check-ups and physicals.
“Try to maximize being the best person you can be. Even if it is just giving someone a friendly smile or a kind gesture. Also, never believe that it cannot happen to you. Cancer has no respect- know that it can happen to you but just live your best life.
In The Bahamas, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Walk for the Cure has raised nearly half a million dollars for cancer care organizations in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera since inception.
The funds generated from the annual event are primarily used to assist with the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients like Anya Adderley once was. They are also used to provide assistance, care and counselling to patients and their families as well as to raise awareness, and stress the importance of early detection, through education campaigns across the region.
During October, CIBC FirstCaribbean encourages participants to walk any desired route and virtually interact with the bank by posting photos, videos, and screenshots from their fitness apps to Facebook and Instagram using the special social media hashtags #WalkfortheCureBAH2021 and #WeStillWalkfortheCure, and tagging the bank in their posts for a chance to win prizes.
Companies and individuals are encouraged to participate in this year’s 10th annual Walk for the Cure, purchase WFTC shirts, and donate to the Walk for the Cure account at any CIBC FirstCaribbean branch or via online banking. All proceeds from shirt purchases and donations will go to local cancer care organizations. The Walk for the Cure Account Number is 201646737 and persons can contact WalkfortheCureBAH@cibcfcib.com for more information.
Photo Captions:
Header: Andre, Anya’s son, was a source of motivation during her journey with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. As a single mom, she knew she had to live and push through to remain there for him.
Insert: Breast cancer survivor Anya Adderley’s advice is for everyone to pay attention to their body and take their health seriously. “If you’re diagnosed with it, seek motivation to fight cancer and never give up on yourself or your faith in God.”
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
