September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month! The Guardian Group Foundation is partnering with the Jamaica Cancer Society for the fourth year to provide free prostate tests for our men. We were honored to present this cheque to JCS towards this noble cause. Guardian encourages all Jamaicans to continue to spread awareness and be proactive about our health!

The Guardian Group Foundation proudly join forces with Running Events as the title sponsor for the very first Blue Run, a 5K event aimed at raising awareness about prostate cancer in Jamaica. To support this worthy cause, Guardian Group Foundation has donated $1 million. Together, we can make a positive impact! 

Making a commitment to promote public awareness of the high incidence of prostate cancer among Jamaican men, Guardian Life Limited yesterday donated $1.5 million to the Jamaica Cancer Society to aid in screenings for the disease.

Renewing its four-year relationship with the JCS through the Guardian Group Foundation, the company announced it is setting up a “Blue Room - Safe Space” in partnership with urologists for prostate consultations with its male clients and staff.  “That is our commitment to promoting a healthy society and our continued support for early detection and education about prostate cancer,” said Oneil Clarke, Guardian Life’s Vice President for Life, Health & Pension Sales.

Clarke also said that in September Guardian Life’s branches have been adorned with the blue and white Prostate Cancer Awareness ribbons. Guardian has also encouraged staff and clients to wear the colours to show support for the fight against prostate cancer on Friday 29th September. At the presentation of the donation to JCS, Clarke acknowledged Guardian staffer Noel Codling, who is a prostate cancer survivor because of early detection.

In accepting the Foundation’s gift, Michael Leslie, JCS’s Acting Managing Director, thanked Guardian Life for its four years of support. But he lamented that public awareness of prostate cancer is still low here because Jamaican men find the examination invasive. “We need to lift that awareness and we are happy that Guardian is helping,” said Leslie. 

The Foundation also made a second presentation, of $1 million, to Running Events, to stage the inaugural Blue Run, a 5K at Emancipation Park on Sunday, 17th September 2023 at 6:30 a.m. Running Events Director Alfred “Frano” Francis, said he believes a 5K is a fun and healthy way to create awareness of prostate cancer. “We must all value awareness,” said Frano, “because prevention is better than cure.”

As part of its observance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Guardian Life is using its mobile health unit to offer free medical checks, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and eye screening, to participants in the Run. The JCS has also scheduled prostate cancer awareness activities that include screenings, health talks, and a prostate cancer medical symposium.

Meghon Miller-Brown, President of Guardian Life Limited said she believes this year’s support for JCS and the new partnership with Running Events for the Blue Run could be a turning point for prostate cancer awareness in Jamaica.