Gingerland, Nevis – A brief but meaningful service was held at the Henry Memorial Wesleyan Holiness Church at Buck’s Hill, on the afternoon of Saturday, February 8, 2020.
The service was held in honour of the late, Lea Parris-Cambridge, a cancer-fighting pioneer.
Lea Parris-Cambridge, was born on June 12, 1969, and passed away in the United Kingdom, on December 1, 2019. She managed to reach the significant age of 50, get married and bear children, even after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, over ten years ago. She also fought the dreaded disease with her change in diet, exercise and a robust prayer life. She eventually succumbed, but not before starting the now Pink Lily Cancer Care Foundation and giving hope to thousands in Nevis and around the world.
Among those present at the memorial service was Minister of Health, Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, who pointed to the sacrificial work done by Cambridge, towards cancer care and prevention.
She also lauded the work she would have done with the young people on the island.
Minister of Social Development, Hon. Eric Evelyn, remembered Lea’s selflessness, passion and fight and asked her family members and the Pink Lily family, to ensure that her legacy lives on and also indicated that the entire community, should seek to ensure that her work goes on, in Nevis. Evelyn, however, lamented the small show of support, as regards the attendance at the memorial service.
Dr. Glenville Liburd spoke passionately and urged his listeners to ensure that a cancer care centre is established in Nevis.
Stevenson Manners in his tribute urged Minister Brandy –Williams and her colleague Minister, Hon. Eric Evelyn, to ensure that the new diagnostic wing at the Alexandra hospital, be named the LEA PARRIS-CAMBRIDGE DIAGNOSTIC WING.
Other speakers included: Barbara Hendrickson; Nadine Carty-Caines of the Health Promotions Unit, Melissa Martin of VON radio, Bibi Husain, Doreen Caron, and niece of the deceased, Lucia Parris-Liburd.
The scripture reading was done by Mrs. Lydia Thompson- Claxton and a song was rendered by Miss Judith Dore.
The message of the day was delivered by a personal friend of the late Mrs. Cambridge, Pastor Cecile Browne.