SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Positive Foundation and Elektralyets Foundation officially launch their 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, a month-long community initiative focused on awareness, education, early detection, survivorship, and support.
This year’s campaign brings back the powerful Pink Faces Project, now presented as Pink Faces Project 2.0: Real Faces. Real Stories. Real Hope.
Five courageous women have chosen to share their personal breast cancer journeys with the community. Their stories of diagnosis, treatment, resilience, recovery, and hope are at the heart of this year’s campaign.
Through their stories, the women are helping to break the silence surrounding breast cancer. They are also encouraging women across St. Maarten to take charge of their health, get screened, know their bodies, and act early.
For nearly two decades, the Positive Foundation and Elektralyets Foundation have worked together to increase breast cancer awareness throughout St. Maarten while providing support services and screening opportunities to women in need. With the continued support of sponsors, donors, healthcare professionals, and community partners, the foundations remain committed to making breast health a priority in the community.
LOVE YOUR TATAS, CHECK 'EM!
The familiar campaign message returns in 2026:
The message is simple. The message is important. Know your body. Check your breasts. Get screened. Act early.
While the campaign features wellness activities, educational initiatives, fundraisers, and community events, the primary focus remains early detection.
Beginning September 30 and continuing throughout October, women will have access to free Clinical Breast Examinations (CBEs) at participating medical clinics and general practitioner offices across St. Maarten. These examinations provide women with an opportunity to discuss breast health concerns with healthcare professionals and receive referrals for further testing when necessary.
100 FREE MAMMOGRAMS FOR UNINSURED WOMEN
One of the key initiatives of the 2026 campaign is the continued partnership between the Positive Foundation, Elektralyets Foundation, and St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) to provide 100 free mammograms for uninsured women.
Women who are identified through a clinical breast examination as requiring mammography screening and who do not have medical insurance may qualify for a mammogram at no cost through this program.
The goal is clear: financial barriers should not stand between a woman and potentially life-saving screening.
“Early detection remains our strongest weapon against breast cancer,” said Shelly Alphonso, President of the Positive Foundation. “Thanks to our longstanding partnership with St. Maarten Medical Center and the support of our donors and sponsors, we are once again able to provide 100 free mammograms to uninsured women. This program has helped save lives, and we encourage women to take advantage of these opportunities.”
FREE BREAST EXAMS AND WOMEN'S HEALTH SCREENINGS
In collaboration with Collective Prevention Services (CPS) and the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), women aged 18 and older are invited to participate in free comprehensive health screenings.
The screenings will take place at:
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Vineyard Office Park
W.G. Buncamper Road #33, Pondfill
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Vineyard Office Park
W.G. Buncamper Road #33, Pondfill
Participants will have access to:
- Clinical breast examination by a board-certified AUC physician
- Blood sugar screening
- Total cholesterol screening
- Blood pressure screening
- Waist circumference measurement
- Height and weight assessment
- BMI evaluation
- Vision screening
- Breast cancer education, including risk factors and warning signs
Appointments are required and should be made at least three days in advance.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone: +1 (721) 545-2298 Ext. 404-2248
First-time participants are especially encouraged to take advantage of these free health services.
PINK FACES PROJECT 2.0
At the heart of the 2026 campaign are five women who have volunteered to share their breast cancer journeys with the community:
- Zestia Shigemoto-Duncan
- Lorraine Allen
- Yolanda Jackson-Martina
- Emelinda Lake
- Agnes Aventurin
Their stories remind the community that breast cancer does not affect only one person. It affects families, friends, workplaces, and entire communities.
Their stories remind us that no woman should have to face breast cancer alone.
Their stories remind us that early detection matters.
Their stories remind us that support matters.
And their stories remind us that hope matters.
Real faces. Real stories. Real hope.
2026 CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS
The 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign will feature activities throughout October, including:
- October 1 – Launch of Pink Faces Project 2.0
- October 2 – Annual Pink Parade
- October 3 – AUC/CPS Free Breast Exam and Women's Health Screening
- October 3 – 11th Annual Pink Sunset Sail, Aqua Mania Adventures
- October 1–24 – Move for Her Challenge – Fitness Attitude
- Throughout October – Free Clinical Breast Examinations at participating GP offices and clinics
- October 10 – Penha Privilege Event, Penha ColeBay
- October 11 – Pink Walk Wig Edition – Saint Martin Twirling Entertainment
- October 13 – Breast Cancer Awareness Session The Brick Building, Philipsburg Methodist Church
- October 17 – Aquagym for a Cause – Aquaterr”happy SXM
- October 18 – Princess Walk – Princess Juliana International Airport
- October 18 – Tea Party Steeped in Hope – Still Beautiful Foundation, JW Marriot
- October 25 – Colebay Methodist Church Thanksgiving Service
- October 29 – Monthly Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting 4C Foundation A.T. Illidge Road
- October 31 – Women’s Health Day St. Maarten Medical Center
- November 28 – AUC/CPS Free Breast Exam and Women's Health Screening
Breast cancer awareness must be more than wearing pink.
Awareness must lead to action.
Action means knowing what is normal for your breasts.
Action means paying attention to changes in your body.
Action means getting regular clinical breast examinations.
Action means following recommended mammography guidelines.
Action means seeking medical attention when something changes.
Action means encouraging the women you love to do the same.
The Positive Foundation and Elektralyets Foundation encourage women to:
- Know what is normal for their breasts.
- Be aware of changes in their bodies.
- Perform regular self-examinations.
- Schedule routine clinical breast examinations.
- Follow recommended mammography guidelines.
- Seek medical attention promptly if changes are detected.
- Encourage family members and friends to prioritize their breast health.
“Breast cancer awareness is about more than wearing pink,” said Alphonso. “It is about education, access, early detection, support, and action. Every conversation we have, every screening completed, and every woman who takes charge of her health brings us one step closer to saving more lives.”
Funds raised during the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign will support educational initiatives and help provide 100 free mammograms for uninsured women through the continued partnership between the Positive Foundation, Elektralyets Foundation, and St. Maarten Medical Center.
The message is simple.
Know your breasts.
Check your breasts.
Get screened.
Detect early.
Act early.
LOVE YOUR TATAS, CHECK 'EM!
The Positive Foundation and Elektralyets Foundation are community-based organizations dedicated to promoting health awareness, education, advocacy, screening initiatives, and support programs throughout St. Maarten.
Through year-round programming and strategic partnerships, the foundations work to improve health outcomes and empower individuals to take charge of their well-being. Please follow the Positive and Elektralyets Facebook pages for more information regarding free screenings, activities and events throughout the month of October.
