‘Brudda Daddy’ thankful

One month after undergoing surgery for colon cancer, comedian and well-known MC Antoine ‘Brudda Daddy’ Williams is extending a heartfelt thanks to all members of the public who gave their support.

Disclosing that the surgery was a success, an upbeat Williams, who is still recovering, told the media yesterday, “I want to send a thankful note to Barbados for their overwhelming support, in various forms – prayers, best wishes, gifts. It has been truly heartwarming even in simple ways – people just stopping and saying ‘ we wish you well’ and that really does tug at the heart string.”

While the treatment phase is yet to begin, a brave Williams expressed his confidence that everything would be “all right”.

Williams had been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in February of this year. The cancer later spread to parts of his liver. Requiring some $200,000 for medical and aftercare, members of the entertainment fraternity held several fundraisers for Williams, who underwent surgery at the beginning of May at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Speaking yesterday at the Cancer Support Services (CSS) Belmont Road headquarters, he pointed out that Barbadians – both males and females – were being diagnosed daily with colon cancer, and in response to this an educational campaign would soon be launched pushing early detection and screening.

“As soon as we are ready we will launch that,” the Public Relations Officer for the CSS stressed.

In addition, the CSS is hosting a one-day conference on June 24 at the Accra Beach Hotel entitled ‘It’s not a Sprint. It’s a Marathon’.

Amongst the presentations will be ‘Straight from the Horse’s Mouth’ where Cancer survivors tell their stories, along with several from medical and other professionals on how to emotionally cope, the side effects of treatment and body image. (JMB)