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April 19^th, 2018

 

Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris extends his heartfelt condolences, and those of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, to the family and loved ones of Ms. Agnes Farrell.

Ms. Agnes Farrell, a much beloved and inspirational breast cancer survivor who founded the Reach for Recovery SKB Breast Cancer Support Group, has died. 

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in 1998 and completing her radiation and chemotherapy in Trinidad and Tobago in July 1999, Ms. Farrell formed the first-ever organized cancer support group in the Federation when she returned home to St. Kitts.  The group officially became Reach for Recovery in February 2002. 

Her Reach for Recovery SKB group supports breast cancer survivors and families emotionally and financially through counselling and recovery sessions, as well as fundraising and awareness activities.  Its impact in the fight against breast cancer has been indelible, most prominently through its annual fundraiser Shades of Pink, which was created in 2012 to celebrate breast cancer survivors in the Federation.

The Department of Gender Affairs at the annual International Women’s Day Awards Ceremony honoured Ms. Farrell in 2014 for her contribution to St. Kitts and Nevis with respect to breast cancer support and awareness.  Two months later, Reign of Elegance Modelling Agency, at its annual Tea and Hat Parade, honoured Ms. Farrell with the Mother of the Year Award.

Although not a biological mother, Ms. Agnes Farrell lovingly mothered and mentored countless women and children, and served on the executive of the St. Johnston’s Methodist Mothering Support Group, which her younger sister, Patricia, founded in 2006. 

Ms. Farrell also contributed her talents to the local Flower Arrangers’ Association and the St. Johnston’s Methodist Church, where her angelic voice was appreciatively featured in the choir and in solos.

An honourary member of the National Association of Administrative Professionals (NAAP), Ms. Farrell was an integral part of the staff of the Electoral Reform Secretariat, providing secretarial and logistical support to the St. Kitts and Nevis Electoral Reform Consultative Committee (ERCC) in 2006 up until the time the ERCC issued its report in January 2007.

“Agnes had an inimitable and indomitable spirit that made her define an era of awareness about breast cancer and cancer in general,” Prime Minister Harris said today, adding, “Her openness and outreach inspired the whole country and motivated all of us to take better control of our health.  Agnes leaves a significant legacy, and she is deeply missed by all those whose lives she touched.”