Payless partners with Mahima Foundation for breast cancer awareness month

Payless ShoeSource has been an active participant in the fight against breast cancer in Jamaica for 10 years. With a predominantly female customer base, the company considers breast cancer awareness (BCA) to be a responsibility of theirs. Breast cancer affects one in 21 women in Jamaica and accounts for 29.4 per cent of all cancers locally. Part proceeds from the sale of the special Breast Cancer Awareness Collection will be donated to the Mahima Foundation, a direct support arm of the Hope Institute and long-standing partner in Payless' BCA initiative.

This year, Payless has also partnered with Chelan Smith, who uses her blog to inspire women and promote the value of holistic healthcare. When Smith was 12, her mother passed away due to breast cancer.

"I am excited to be a part of this project because it is very near to me," she said. Smith believes that women should try to be healthy, not just for themselves, but also for those who love and care for them. As a part of her contribution to breast cancer awareness, Payless will make a donation to the Jamaica Cancer Society on her behalf.

More about Mahima

Primrose Geourzoung, chairperson for the Mahima Foundation, shared her anticipation to complete the construction of the Meditation Garden to be used by patients who value the practice of pain management. The foundation was able to renovate the kitchen with brand new facilities and flooring, the chemotherapy room and a medical office with the donations made.

"I am beyond grateful to Payless for everything and I am looking forward to continuing this partnership," she said with much conviction. The foundation has major plans to beautify the hospital grounds and pave the roadways, which become very dusty on a dry day.

Geourzoung's late daughter, whose battle with breast cancer ended in 2012, was the inspiration behind forming the foundation. The foundation also takes its name from her - Monique 'Mahima' Geourzoung.

"We are extremely proud to be in partnership with the Mahima Foundation, they have propelled us to play an active role in the fight against breast cancer in Jamaica," said Nekeisha Critchlow, country manager for Payless ShoeSource in Jamaica. "What we hope to do differently this year is to place more emphasis on encouraging women to do regular check-ups; early detection can really make a difference, so we want women to get out and get checked," said Critchlow.

Media personality Yendi Phillipps is also an ambassador for the campaign and will also be encouraging women to get their regular check-ups.

In 2017, Payless donated around US$65,000 through their sales initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. This year, the company plans to surpass the sales targets with the launch of their exclusive Breast Cancer Awareness Collection. Persons will be able to purchase limited-edition BCA bracelets, socks or exclusively designed Champion sneakers in stores islandwide. Customers who support the campaign with their purchases will receive a Bounce-Back Coupon for a 20 per cent discount on any purchase made between October 30 and November 14 this year.