September is Prostate Awareness Month and the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS), through the kind donation of J$1 million from Guardian Life Limited (GLL), is seeking to screen over 500 men this month for prostate cancer.

 Mr Michael Leslie, Executive Director (Acting) at the JCS received the donation at a handover event held at the Guardian Life Head Office on September 6. While accepting the donation, Mr Leslie expressed his appreciation for GLL’s six-year support to the prostate cancer cause. “We are pleased to have the support of Guardian Life in helping us raise awareness about prostate cancer. This donation assists us in educating men about why it is important to do prostate screening and allows us the opportunity to share how the process works. Most importantly, this donation assists with actual screening of men across the island,” stated Mr Leslie.

 In September, the JCS is scheduled to do prostate screening in the parishes of Kingston & St. Andrew; Manchester; St Ann; Portland; and St James, with 300 men already confirmed to receive the screening.

 While speaking at the event, Mr Oneil Clarke, Vice President, Life, Health and Pension Sales of GLL, emphasised the reasons the Company has been a long-term supporter of prostate cancer screening.

“We recognise that there is a high incidence of prostate cancer in our society, and as one of the premier providers of life and health insurance, we believe it is imperative that we play a critical role in educating our men and their support systems about the importance of early screening.  It is important to note that for the first six months of this year, 97 of the 141 claims we have received were cancer related. Last year, of the 270 claims received, 226 were cancer related. So, we are happy to certainly partner with JCS in ensuring that we help to support this public education thrust and the drive to ensure that our men are screened,” explained Mr Clarke.

 “I hope the effort helps to increase the level of education and ensure the continued support of the JCS. We intend to fulfil our corporate social responsibility in this regard,” continued Mr Clarke.

 Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JCS six years ago, GLL has assisted with underwriting the costs of prostate cancer screening and has increased awareness of the cause. This year, the insurance provider is the title sponsor of the Blue Run, scheduled for September 22 and focuses on prostate cancer awareness.