Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Discussions centred on cervical, and treatment of other, female, cancers at CGCS Symposium
#Bahamas, April 11, 2018 – Nassau -Regional and international health experts met in New Providence over the weekend to discuss a number of major issues relating to women’s health during the Caribbean Gynecological Cancer Society’s (CGCS)Third Annual Symposium. Held at the Warwick Hotel, Paradise Island, the discussions centred on areas such as cervical cancer and recent advances in ovarian and endometrial cancers. Screening for cervical cancer was also “prominent” on the symposium’s agenda.
Addressing the Symposium’s Opening Session, Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis applauded the organizers of the Symposium for “taking this giant step forward in women’s health, and in particular, oncological care, by inviting regional and international experts to our shores to share their experiences with us.”
“Our newly formed Society has an awesome responsibility. Your programme today shows that you are up to the task,” Prime Minister Minnis said.
“You have taken, head-on, the issues of cervical cancer screening, its implementation, unacceptable outcomes, and why we must do better. You have also taken on the cutting-edge technology issues such as hypo-fraction radiation therapy and recent advances in ovarian and endometrial cancers.
“More importantly, you have the support of the entire gynecological cancer community in the region. I look forward to this Gynae-Oncology update and the promise of a healthier future for our women in the Caribbean,” Prime Minister Minnis added.
Prime Minister Minnis said the discussions were “topical” as the burden of cervical cancer is high in The Bahamas with almost one new case being diagnosed per week.
“In The Bahamas, we recognize that our crude incidence rate of new cases of Cancer of the Cervix (24.5/100,000) exceeds that of the rest of the Caribbean average of 23.6/100,000 and is almost twice that of the GLOBOCAN data of 15.1/100,000. At almost one new case per week being diagnosed, cervical cancer ranks as the second-leading cause of female cancer in The Bahamas, and the second-most common female cancer in women aged 15-44 years.
“The burden of cervical cancer is high,” Prime Minister Minnis continued, “(it) represents the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in women and the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in women ages 15-44 years of age. The concomitant physical and mental suffering and the socio-economic impacts are immeasurable. Premature deaths and disability come at huge national costs.”
Prime Minister Minnis also told the health experts that The Bahamas commenced its national HPV Vaccination Programme in 2015, making the vaccine available in the public healthcare system.
Global health experts say the vaccine helps to prevent the human papilloma virus (HPV) types that cause most cervical cancers. Research from Australia indicates a number of successes after a decade of national HPV vaccine administration to its at-risk reproductive age-group.
In the first four-to-five years after the programme started, there was a 77 per cent decrease in the number of 18-24 year old women with HPV (for the HPV types covered by the vaccines.) Pre-Cancerous abnormalities also decreased – by 34 per cent in 20-24 year olds, an indicator that they will be at much lower lifetime risk of ever developing cervical cancer.
“With The Bahamas Expanded Immunization Programme boasting a 100 per cent coverage in our school population, we have the promise of similar reductions in HPV-related disorders as we roll out the HPV vaccines of our reproductive age group at-risk,” Prime Minister Minnis added.
The Caribbean Gynecologic Cancer Society was formed in 2015 by a group of senior regional gynecologic surgeons and gynecologic oncologists, including those from The Bahamas, dedicated to improving the care of regional women with, or at risk of developing, gynecological cancer. The Society was incorporated in 2017.
Bahamian doctors listed among the Society’s Founding Membership include Dr. Raleigh Butler, Dr. Darron Halliday, Dr. Hubert A. Minnis and the late Dr. Bernard J. Nottage.
By: Matt Maura (BIS)
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.
