By LEDEDRA MARCHE

Senior FN Reporter

Sister, Sister Breast Cancer Support Group installed its newest officers Sunday with the creation of its Grand Bahama Chapter during a survivors and installation luncheon.

Some 150 cancer survivors, their families and those committed to become trained to support victims of cancer savoured a heart-warming afternoon filled with laughter, knowledge and a few tears.

The message of survival was underscored from a skit by Actor Patrice Johnson on the importance of getting a mammogram, to the playful, yet sobering testimony of survivor and entertainer Dr. Doris Sears, "Rainbow the Christian Clown," to the powerful liturgical dance by Minister Vicki Smith.

The new chapter was established in April and the official installation was held at the Westin Grand Bahama Island at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort.

Sister, Sister's motto: "Women Helping Women" and is aimed at providing supportive care for women with cancer, breast or otherwise.

The Grand Bahama branch meets the first Monday of each month at Agape House Fellowship Hall and will hold its first official meeting today.

Rev. Charlene McPhee, who is also known as "mother" at the Princess Margaret Hospital, is one of three visionaries who saw the neccesity for the organization exactly six years ago.

Inspiring the group to "delight themselves" in God, Nurse McPhee, director of the Nassau chapter, told the men and women to spend quality time with God and to love their family.

"Sitting in church does not make you a Christian, no more than sitting in a garage makes you a car. So if you delight yourself in the Lord He promises to give you the desires of your heart," she assured.

Delighting oneself in the Lord does not mean showing off to those can see them doing what looks good, because the glory belongs to God.

Vice President Roberta Rolle, who stood proxy for New Providence President Andrea Sweeting, performed the honours during the installation ceremony and challenged the officers, executives members and directors to inform Pastor Grant when they are tired or are unable to carry on and allow her to find someone who can.

"In this day and time a lot of people just want to do things for form and fashion but you know it's not about that, it is all about God," she said.

"And once you do His work, He will work through you and others will see your work and He will be glorified."

To the president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer and assitant treasurer she charged that theirs was a heavy task and advised them to execute it with honour.

Anne Grant, Pastor of Agape House, is herself a cancer surivor of 28 years and was installed Sunday afternoon as the President of the new Grand Bahama Chapter.

Revealing that the position is a humbling one and that she has had the opportunity to counsel cancer survivors over the last 25 years, Pastor Grant boasted that the new slate of officers are a compitent team.

The Sister, Sister Grand Bahama President assured that the new chapter could make a significant difference in the community and promised to carry on the work which the Nassau Chapter has started.

"Cancer is no respector of person. I stand before you 28 years a cancer survivor and I know that it is God's grace and mercy that has kept me," she said.

Cognizant that many of her team members are themselves survivors of cancer, Pastor Grant said they all have the same goals in mind – to speak life and let others know that there is life after cancer.

In fact, the new president told the gathering that cancer is not a death sentence and rather can be the beginning of something wonderful and once it is beaten, that lifestyle must be maintained.

With her new team of officers behind her, President Grant then extended an invitation to all cancer survivors present to join her in a demonstration of survival.

The 11 women who joined the front line were each presented with a pink and white rose and received a standing ovation.

"You're looking at miracles," President Grant proclaimed. "Look at what God is doing, there is life after cancer."

NEW CHAPTER — Director of the Nassau Sister, Sister Chapter, Minister Charlene McPhee, left, was the special guest speaker Sunday afternoon at the survivors and installation banquet of the new Sister, Sister Breast Cancer Support Group Grand Bahama Chapter. She is pictured with new president Pastor Anne Grant. (Photo by JENNEVA RUSSELL)