Saint Jude Hospital will commemorate the month of October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month" with a health fair on Friday.

The health fair is presented as a public information event to help draw attention to and support for defeating cancer.

This year’s event will include presentations by health care professionals, informational displays, examinations, instructions for routine self care, and inspirational presentations from cancer survivors.

There will be “Pink Ribbon” merchandise for sale to help benefit the cause. The Blood Bank will also be on hand for those who would like to donate.

Highlights of the day include two presentations by guest lecturers from Saint Jude Hospital. at 11 a.m., Nurse Junette Joseph will discuss how to conduct a breast self-exam, and at 1 p.m., Dr. Kera Natram  will lecture on the screening, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and management of breast cancer.

The health fair is jointly coordinated by the Micoud Public Library Group, the Choiseul Library Group, the Saint Lucia Cancer Society, the Choiseul Health Centre, Saint Jude Hospital, and the Bureau of Health Promotions in the Ministry of Health, among other community stakeholders. It will be held on Main Street, Choiseul, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Oct 2.

Plans are also underway for a “Drink it Pink” fundraising soiree and silent auction on Saturday, Oct. 31at the Micoud Community Center.

The goal of these events are two-fold. They aim to increase awareness and knowledge for those who may be at risk for or have developed cancer; and they aim to help raise funds for the Saint Lucia Cancer Society.

Last year’s health fair (a now-annual event) was held in Micoud, and attracted more than 100 participants and attendees, many of whom received free examinations and valuable health care advice.

For information contact the Micoud Library at 758.454.4089.