On a Saturday when the weather surged between sunny and hot to gusty and wet, spirits remained high at Lampkin & Company's yard sale and wellness fair for charity. The insurance broker and employee benefits consultants firm hosted a fundraiser with The Cancer Society of The Bahamas and Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group as its beneficiaries for many good and personal reasons.

As a company that started just over 16 years ago, fewer have seen the prevalence of cancer among Bahamians grow at an astounding rate than Lampkin & Company. More relevantly, fewer hear family testimonies of struggle with the disease and negotiate insurance on behalf of thousands of affected individuals annually. Cancer in the country is a fraught reality and the concept became all too real for Lampkin & Company's owner exactly one year ago.

Jeanine Lampkin, managing director and CEO, Lampkin & Company Insurance Brokers & Employee Benefits Consultants, was diagnosed with breast cancer after an annual screening in March 2015. Although she did not carry the Brca1 gene that many Bahamian women do and although she lives a healthy lifestyle, her doctors noted the cancer was aggressive and advanced. Requiring immediate consultation, Lampkin sought local and international medical attention in the removal and treatment of her cancer.

In what has since been a year-long roller-coaster between surgeries, medications, and recovery, she remarked: "I have been so fortunate and so blessed to be in the position I am in, to be able to seek treatment without hesitation and without the financial burden that many without health insurance experience. Funnily, and I suppose, optimistically enough, cancer has given my work even more purpose. Our recent fundraiser is a small way to show my gratitude to two organizations that do so much for so many."

At Lampkin & Company's yard sale and wellness fair in benefit of the charities, many individuals stopped by to simply donate towards the cause and others enjoyed free fresh fruit smoothies, blood pressure and glucose screenings, a bouncy castle for kids, and some adult fun, shopping.

During the yard sale items ranged from $1.00 to $20.00 and included brand new and gently used electronics, home decor items, kitchen equipment, sporting goods and clothing. Most popular among shoppers were the many novels, textbooks, travel guides, and health and wellness resources that each sold for one dollar.

More than 15 volunteers from within the Lampkin & Company staff, family, and friends were present as well as representatives from The Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, and medical professionals who joined the social gathering to peruse the merchandise on offer, take advantage of health screenings, and educate the community on their work and the prevalence of cancer in The Bahamas.

In 2014, The Cancer Society of The Bahamas announced a multimillion-dollar campaign to build a modern Cancer Caring Centre for individuals undergoing treatment. The three-storey building is located adjacent to the present Cancer Society headquarters on Collins Avenue, in close proximity to doctors' offices and hospitals. The center houses ten rooms, each with a patio and garden view, and the second floor rooms are reserved for family island patients staying in New Providence for short-term treatment. Residents are encouraged to participate in simple activities such as gardening or preparing meals, to stay active and maintain their self-esteem.

Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group was founded in 2000 and continues to provide emotional support for thousands of Bahamian women diagnosed with breast cancer annually. In addition to helping the mental and spiritual needs of its members, financial assistance is also offered to alleviate the high cost of cancer treatments, medical examinations and devices, and other day-to-day necessities.

Following the event, Lampkin & Company committed to matching all sales in order to make a meaningful contribution to the two charitable groups. In total, $3,000 was donated towards cancer fighting programs, education, and organizational developments.
Lampkin's donation was given just weeks before her final round of infusion treatment. Although she still faces more years of ongoing care and treatment, she is eternally thankful for the support she received from the local community and feels blessed that she is in a position to "pay it forward" to others.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian