By Paras Ramoutar, IANS
Port of Spain : After cricket, philanthropy is his second love. World’s cricket icon Brian Lara has announced a plan to pay for the treatment of one cancer patient every year at the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre here.
Lara made the announcement at the launch of the Cancer Treatment Foundation (CTF) at the Queen’s Park Cricket Club Tuesday.
The cancer treatment centre named after him is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth Caribbean and was opened in May 2007. It treats all forms of cancer, and patients from throughout the Caribbean seek medical care here.
“I am going to take care of one patient every year. I am very touched that kids also suffer from the disease,” Lara said at the CTF launching ceremony.
The cricketer, whose mother died of breast cancer in 2002, said: “I watched my mom disintegrate for a period of six to seven years. We had the funds to provide for her but we didn’t have the infrastructure in our country and she was unwilling to travel. Today, we have the infrastructure but the battle of patients is enormous.
“We should all try to make a contribution. We must focus on raising funds to provide for many people who are less fortunate.”
The CTF is an independent body, which will screen applicants and patients who can access the funds and seek treatment from the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre.
Lara appealed to corporations to make a contribution to the fund.
“Tonight, we beg corporate T&T to lend to this cause,” Lara said, adding that potential donors can be assured that their money will provide for patient care and not for the purchase of equipment.
“We will ensure that the treatments given to patients are of the best quality. Patients who could never afford the benefit of state-of-the-art care will now be able to benefit,” Lara added.