In addition to this, I was recently invited to Toronto, Canada as feature speaker at The Olive Branch of Hope, the only organization for women of colour diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Canada. There I was recognized for my work in the field of breast cancer in the Caribbean. It was in Toronto I discovered that support group sessions occur once per month. I feel very proud to point out that at Basia Survivor Network our support group sessions take place once per week unless we are on a break. At Basia Survivor Network our members receive spiritual and emotional support along with healthy gourmet meals that are prepared by me and another team member. At Basia Survivor Network, our members receive full funding whenever funding is available. They receive branded clothing. They have access to advice from very qualified life coaches like Occa Seapaul, yoga instructors like Karen Stollymeyer, Top Fashion designers like Meiling and Claudia  Pegus. Special thanks to Meiling for providing free consultations to every single woman that joins our network. In other words they have access to the best. We go as far as to take groceries to our members or pay for a doctors visit in cases where their health prevents them from providing for themselves. We have also expanded our cause to include a centre for early childhood and autistic children from September 2011 where we will provide 3 full scholarships for single mothers with autistic children between the ages of 2- 5 years old.

Ladies and Gentlemen, at Basia Foundation we take charity and community service seriously. We are not promoters, we are humanitarians. Most of you would know that the core of our business is in the entertainment industry, for we all know that Basia is #1 for Caribbean celebrities. However, since we have established our not for profit brand I have to wonder. I am exceedingly grateful to my top Caribbean celebrities, my A-listers as they are now known for constantly answering our call. I have to say a special thanks to the Soca King of the World, Mr. Machel Montano HD, for taking time off from his very hectic schedule  to headline the 2011 Beat Breast Cancer Music Festival Party. Special thanks to Mr. Shurwayne Winchester  and You for bringing his band on board and for ensuring that we secured the services of non other than the legendary, Maxi Priest. Thank you Shurwayne.  A special thank you to the #1 Rapso group in the world 3 Canal, and to my friends at Asylum, The President and the First Lady of Soca, Fay-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin, This would not have been possible without your commitment and dedication to Basia.

Maintaining the high standard we set for our breast cancer network, BSN is never easy, particularly with limited resources. I now know what it means to dedicate your life to non- profit work. If you are doing it for gratitude you will fail. It was always my desire to provide a place for women to want to come to when they are diagnosed, where they could access sponsorship, a good meal and make good friends who understand their journey. I have to say that we have accomplished all of the above. We are always there when they need somewhere to turn to when they feel emotionally drained .Our membership continues to increase and we are very committed to a proactive fight against breast cancer.

I was recently told by a UN Development Consultant, that development work is divided into various categories, and these are policy, community service, financial support etc. She then asked me why was I trying to do all. She suggested that I choose one area or else I will be drained. I am still trying to decide on the area that I am best suited. Every week a new woman or two is diagnosed and they reach out to us for assistance and guidance so it is difficult to turn our backs on community service, everyday you see people who need a PET/Scan but can’t afford to go abroad for it, so it is difficult to turn our back on the financial side.

So with your support and the support of the general public we will be able to attain our fund this year. Words cannot express our gratitude to First Citizens, Guardian Life, and BMobile for returning because without your input we would have no chance of beating breast cancer at Basia Foundation. I wish to thank Toyota Trinidad and Tobago limited for still supporting us despite their challenges with the situation in Japan. Thanks also to the Citadel Group, Mr. Ian Lee Sing, for understanding our challenges and for pledging your support to radio advertising. To Mr Russell George and his team at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad for giving us affordable rooms; Thanks also to the National Carnival Commission for supporting our cause opening your facility to us. Thank you to all those who continue to send us small donations, we appreciate it. A special thank you to Ms Janelle Penny Commisisiong-Chow who donated a cheq for $5700 TT dollars, This can contribute to a PET/CT scan for one of our members. Just to let you all know when we sponsor a member to go to Miami for a PET/CT scan the total value of that sponsorship is TT$10,000 which covers a scan, doctors visit and airfare. So whenever you have TT$10,000 to spare we would we would appreciate it.

This year as we embarked on our Basia For Life campaign to raise funds for PET/CT scans and reconstructive surgery, we have also revised our policy to include men diagnosed with prostate so they can qualify for financial assistance for PET/Scans and airfare. I place emphasis on the word qualify! I am very grateful to Almighty God for choosing me for this very peculiar journey. He could not have made a better choice. I thank you all for supporting this great cause and thanks once again to our major sponsors First Citizens, BMobile and Guardian Life and to my fabulous and loyal team members at Basia, for standing by Basia Foundation at a very difficult time. A lot of people say “You can count on us”, and they don’t show up, you did better than that you stayed by our side. So once again thank you all for your support and we look forward to seeing you all at the Beat Breast Cancer Music Festival 2011 at the Queens Park Savannah on June 26. Remember it’s Basia for Life,wear fushia pink, purple or white to represent for our cause and you know how we will be doing it… Basia Style!

Alicia Powell
Founder and Breast Cancer Survivor