The National Health Fund (NHF) has donated $3 million to the Jamaica Cancer Society's fund-raising initiative, Relay For Life, which took place on the weekend.

Hugh Lawson, CEO of the NHF, said "the activities of the Jamaica Cancer Society (JSC) must be supported as this non-government organisation continues to play a vital role in screening and education in the fight against all forms of cancers".

The NHF has been a major sponsor of Relay for Life over the last four years, and this year increased its support over last year's grant of $1 million to $3 million.

"Cancer is on the increase worldwide and Jamaica is no exception," said Lawson, who added that the annual Relay for Life initiative "provides a unique opportunity that raises awareness of cancer while providing much needed funds for the JSC to carry on its valuable work in Jamaica."

Worldwide, there is a dramatic increase in the number of cancer cases. More than 10 million persons are diagnosed with cancer each year and the World Health Organisation Cancer Report 2000, predicted that cancer rates are set to increase at an alarming rate globally and could further increase to 15 million new cases each year by 2020. Over half of the new cases of cancer occur in developing countries such as Jamaica.