Belize Cancer Society

18/09/2026

A huge shoutout to the University of Belize’s Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship Club (IVCF) for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to connect with their membership and share more about our “Youth Leading Change for a To***co Free Belize” Project! 🙌🏽

With a strong membership of 50+ students, IVCF is exactly the kind of youth network we’re excited to connect with as we work to build a movement of young people leading change! 💪🏽🇧🇿

Through the Youth Leading Change for a To***co-Free Kids Global Free Belize Project, we are:
✅ Training young leaders
✅ Raising awareness about the dangers of to***co products
✅ Educating youth about Belize’s To***co Control Bill
✅ Building a strong Youth Advocacy Network to support to***co control in Belize

The To***co Control Bill has already passed through the House of Representatives. The next step is the Senate, and we want Belize’s young people to be informed, engaged, and at the forefront of the effort to see this important legislation become law. 🇧🇿📣

IVCF is just one of several organizations we’ve been engaging with over the past few weeks as we continue expanding our Youth Advocacy Network across Belize.

The future is ours to shape. The change starts with us. ✊🏽

07/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE

BELIZE CANCER SOCIETY MAKES HISTORY AT CARNIVAL: CELEBRATING SURVIVORSHIP, HOPE AND THE POWER OF

For Immediate Release | September 7, 2026 Belize City

BEYOND THE DIAGNOSIS: BELIZE CANCER SOCIETY TAKES A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO CARNIVAL

The streets of Belize came alive with music, colour and celebration—but this year, among the revelry was a powerful message that went far beyond Carnival.

For the first time, the Belize Cancer Society (BCS) proudly participated in Carnival with a dedicated BCS section made up of cancer survivors, families and supporters, transforming the streets into a celebration of survivorship, resilience and hope.
This was not simply about Carnival.

It was about showing Belize that cancer survivors are not defined by their diagnosis, their treatment or the hardest chapter of their journey. They are people who continue to dream, love, work, laugh, celebrate, and live.

For BCS President Kim Simplis Barrow, the significance was deeply personal.

“For me, this was more than participating in Carnival. It was a celebration of life and a celebration of survival. Cancer took me to places I never imagined I would go, but standing on those streets with other survivors reminded me that there is life after a diagnosis. There is joy after the pain. There is hope after the fear. We wanted Belize to see cancer survivors—not as people to feel sorry for, but as people to celebrate. We wanted survivors to know that their stories matter and that their lives are worth celebrating. And we wanted those who are currently fighting cancer to look at us and know: keep fighting. There is hope.”

Every person who walked in the BCS section carried a different story.

Some were survivors.
Some walked beside loved ones.
Some have lost family members and friends to cancer.
And some simply wanted to stand in solidarity with those whose lives have been touched by the disease.

Together, they sent one unmistakable message: WE WILL NOT ALLOW CANCER TO SILENCE US.

The BCS section was a visible reminder that survivorship is an important part of the cancer journey—and one that deserves recognition and celebration.

The Belize Cancer Society extends its heartfelt appreciation to Kadejah Tunn-Retreage and Belizean Jewels for believing in the vision and creating the opportunity for BCS to be part of this year’s Carnival.

Special appreciation is also extended to Liesja Barrow and Kendra Mahler Rosado, whose support, commitment and hard work helped turn an idea into reality.

The Belize Cancer Society also expresses sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors, partners, and Board of Directors who supported this initiative. Your generosity made it possible for cancer survivors, families and supporters to participate and helped us take the message of cancer awareness and survivorship into one of Belize’s biggest national celebrations. Your support demonstrates that the fight against cancer belongs to all of us.

To every survivor who joined the BCS section: We saw you. We celebrated you. And we are proud of you.

You reminded Belize that surviving cancer is not just about beating a disease. It is about reclaiming life.

To the families, friends and supporters who walked beside them—thank you for showing what solidarity looks like. And to those who have lost someone to cancer, we walked with you too. Every step was for someone. Every smile carried a story. Every survivor represented hope.

The Belize Cancer Society hopes that the images and memories from Carnival 2026 will leave Belize with a message that lasts long after the music stops.

Cancer awareness is not just for October.
Early detection matters.
Prevention matters.
Access to treatment matters.
Support matters.
Survivorship matters.
Most importantly, hope matters.
To anyone currently facing cancer, BCS wants you to know: You are not alone.

To every survivor: Your story is powerful.
And to every Belizean: Together, we can create a Belize where cancer is detected earlier, treated better, supported with compassion—and where every survivor has the opportunity to live fully.

The Belize Cancer Society will continue to advocate, educate, support, and empower Belizeans in the fight against cancer. Because this fight is bigger than one organization. It belongs to all of us.

TOGETHER, WE THRIVE. UNITED AGAINST CANCER.
For more information:
Belize Cancer Society
Tel: ‪+501 613-7666‬
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.belizecancersociety.org
END OF RELEASE

05/09/2026

The Youth Leading Change for a To***co-Free Belize Project is officially in full swing, and we’re taking the conversation to young people across the country!

Today, September 4th, Belize Cancer Society Youth Engagement Officer Ljay Wade met with members of Belmopan’s Child Advisory Body to talk about youth leadership, advocacy and the importance of creating a to***co-free future for Belize.

Established in 2014, the Child Advisory Body brings together young people up to age 17. The body then listens to the youth’s ideas, concerns and recommendations, and take those concerns to the Mayor of Belmopan.
This is exactly what youth advocacy is all about: YOUR voice matters! 🗣️

Today’s meeting is part of our ongoing effort to connect with youth organizations and groups across Belize and grow our Youth Advocacy Network, a movement of young Belizeans ready to speak up and take action.

🚭 Our goal?

To empower young people to become the driving force behind to***co control in Belize and advocate for the passage of the To***co Control Bill.

We don't just want young people talking about change.
We want young people LEADING it.

05/09/2026

CELEBRATING SURVIVORS. CELEBRATING LIFE. CELEBRATING HOPE.

As October draws near, the Belize Cancer Society (BCS) is proud and excited to announce our participation in Carnival 2026 as part of Belizean Jewels.

This year, our Carnival contingent will be made up of cancer survivors, their families and supporters—coming together to celebrate life, courage, resilience and hope, while honouring the journeys of those who have faced cancer and remembering those we have lost.
For our survivors, this is more than Carnival.

It is a celebration of life.
A celebration of strength.
A celebration of resilience.
A celebration of hope.

Our survivors are living proof that cancer is not the end of the story. Their courage and determination inspire us to continue advocating for greater awareness, early detection, access to care, and support for every person affected by cancer.

As we celebrate, we will also educate. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and through our participation in Carnival, BCS will bring an important message to the public: know your body, know your risk, get screened, and seek medical attention when something doesn’t feel right.

“When our survivors take to the streets, they are not simply participating in Carnival—they are celebrating life and sending a powerful message of courage, resilience and hope. They remind us that behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, and a journey. This October, we want Belize to see the faces and hear the stories behind the cause. We want to celebrate those who have overcome, stand beside those still fighting, and honour those we have lost. Most importantly, we want every person affected by cancer to know: you are not alone.” — Kim Simplis Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society

We are especially happy and grateful to be a part of Belizean Jewels and to share this beautiful platform with a group that celebrates the strength, beauty, and spirit of Belizean women.

A special thank you to Liesja Barrow and Kendra Rosado for helping make this partnership and participation possible. Your support has helped bring our survivors, families, and supporters together for what promises to be a truly meaningful celebration.

Survivors. Families. Supporters. Belizean Jewels. One powerful celebration of life.

This October, we will celebrate loudly, educate proudly, and stand united against breast cancer.

02/09/2026

Today, we remember a beautiful friend and former colleague whose kindness, warmth, and laughter touched so many lives.

Milagro will always be remembered for the joy she brought to those around her and the memories she shared with us. Though she may no longer be with us, her spirit and the impact she made will remain in our hearts.

Rest peacefully, Milagro. You will be deeply missed. 🩷🕊️

01/09/2026

🎗️ CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 🎗️

Every child deserves the chance to laugh, dream, grow, and look forward to a bright future. 💗

This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Belize Cancer Society stands with children and families affected by cancer. While childhood cancer is rare, its impact can be life-changing—not only for the child, but for the entire family.

Our message is simple:

💛 Every child deserves a childhood.
💛 Every child deserves a future.

Through Awareness. Hope. Action: we can build a stronger support system for children facing cancer and their families.

Let us come together to:
🌸 Support children and families with compassion and care.
🌸 Raise Awareness and promote understanding.
🌸 Share Hope and encourage courage through difficult journeys.
🌸 Stand together to create a future where every child has a chance to thrive.

🎗️ Stronger Together for Our Children. Be aware. Be kind. Be their hope.

27/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE

Belize Cancer Society and Campaign for To***co-Free Kids Partner to Strengthen the Fight Against To***co in Belize

Belize City, Belize | August 27th 2026 — The Belize Cancer Society (BCS) is pleased to announce its partnership with the Campaign for To***co-Free Kids (CTFK), to advance stronger to***co-control measures across the country by strengthening efforts to prevent to***co use and protect Belizeans from the harmful effects of to***co.

The partnership between the Belize Cancer Society and To***co-Free Kids represents an important step forward in Belize’s ongoing fight against to***co-related disease and death. Through this collaboration, the Belize Cancer Society will work alongside To***co-Free Kids to increase public awareness, engage communities and young people, and advocate for effective policies that reduce to***co use and exposure to to***co products.
To***co use remains a significant public health concern and is a major risk factor for several types of cancers, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Preventing to***co use, particularly among young people, is critical to reducing the burden of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases in Belize.
As a part of the partnership, the Belize Cancer Society will focus on initiatives that empower young people to become advocates for a to***co-free Belize. Youth engagement will be central to the campaign, recognizing that young people have an important role to play in influencing their peers, families, schools, and communities.

The collaboration will support local research efforts to build evidence to strengthen to***co-control advocacy and promote greater understanding of the health, social, and economic consequences of to***co use. By bringing together civil society, communities, youth, policymakers and other stakeholders, the Belize Cancer Society and the Campaign for To***co-Free Kids aims to build stronger momentum toward a healthier, to***co-free future for Belize.

The Campaign for To***co-Free Kids is the leading advocacy organization working to reduce to***co use and its deadly consequences in the United States and around the world, and works with countries across the globe. Through its Global Health Advocacy Incubator, To***co-Free Kids tackles other critical public health challenges across the globe.

The Belize Cancer Society views this partnership as an extension of its broader mission to reduce the impact of cancer in Belize through prevention, education, patient support, advocacy, and community engagement.

The Society encourages young people, schools, community organizations, policymakers, parents, and members of the public to join the movement for a to***co-free Belize.

Together, we can lead change, protect our communities, and build a healthier future for Belize.

The Belize Cancer Society�President and Board of Directors

For more information:
Belize Cancer Society
Tel: ‪+501 613-7666‬
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.belizecancersociety.org

27/08/2026

26/08/2026

As we we get closer and closer to the Cancer Society Benefit concert we welcome all to come and join us on the 30th of August for a night of fine Jazz music, fantastic food as we support and give to a worthy cause with the help of our sponsors and you.

See you soon for the Jazz & Dine Benefit.