The Bob and Rita Marley Foundations have distributed 50 mammogram gift vouchers, putting vital breast screening services within reach of women from communities across Kingston and St. Ann. Redeemable at Apex Radiology, the gift vouchers are part of the Foundations’ Breast Cancer Awareness Month outreach, which aims to promote early detection and improve access to preventative healthcare.
Bob and Rita Marley Foundations Give 50 Women Free Mammograms
The vouchers were distributed in two phases. 15 were presented to women from Bob Marley’s hometown in Nine Mile, St. Ann, while 35 women from communities across Kingston received theirs at a Breast Cancer Awareness session held at Tuff Gong International Studios on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Held in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the initiative reinforced the importance of early detection while highlighting the critical role that family, friends and communities play in supporting women through diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
“Support isn’t always about financial assistance, but access to care matters just as much,” said Foundation Manager Alicia Williams. “The Bob and Rita Marley Foundations recognise that care extends beyond medical treatment, and that commitment guides our work in the communities we serve.”
While the distribution of the 50 mammogram vouchers provided a practical opportunity for women to prioritise their health, it was the deeply personal stories of two breast cancer survivors, a mother and daughter, that brought the importance of early detection and unwavering support into sharp focus.
For Marlene Dawson-McGibbon, a 14-year breast cancer survivor and her mother, Norma Dawson, who has been a survivor for 16 years, breast cancer is more than a diagnosis they have each confronted. It is a shared experience that has tested their resilience, strengthened their bond and given them a powerful message to share with other women. They shared moving firsthand accounts of their journeys, from the uncertainty and emotional weight of receiving a diagnosis to the strength they found in navigating treatment and embracing life beyond cancer.
“Having a strong support system made all the difference in my journey. I had watched my mother go through breast cancer and had been there to support her, so when it became my turn, I had some understanding of what was ahead. But nothing truly prepares you for hearing those words yourself. What kept me going was knowing that I wasn’t alone. My family was there for me in every way. That kept me going,” Marlene shared.
Complementing the survivors’ testimonies was an informative presentation by Shauna Rookwood, Mammographer at Apex Radiology, who guided the participants through breast self-examination techniques, encouraging them to become familiar with their bodies, recognise unusual changes and seek timely medical advice when concerns arise.
She also highlighted the importance of discussing routine mammogram screening with healthcare providers from age 40, noting that women with a family history of breast cancer may require earlier screening and individualised guidance.
Recognising that breast cancer is the leading cancer among Jamaican women, the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations hope that initiatives like these will continue to champion the health and well-being of women and their families, working to ensure that access to care is not determined by where a woman lives. It is also about building communities of support, where women feel empowered to prioritise their health and reassured that, should they face a breast cancer diagnosis, they will never have to walk that journey alone.
About the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations
The Bob and Rita Marley Foundations aim to preserve the Marley legacy of love, unity, and upliftment through education, health, sports, culture and social welfare. Rooted in the philosophy of One Love, the foundations continue to inspire positive change and sustainable impact across Jamaica and the world.
