Giovanna Watson has need recognised by the Global Relay For Life as a 2018 Global Hero of Hope based on her support and volunteer work with Relay For Life of Bermuda.

Giovanna Watson has been upfront about her fight with cancer since the disease was diagnosed four years ago.

Now the 41-year-old author of Dear Cancer, Let Me Introduce Myself has been made Bermuda’s first Global Relay for Life Hero of Hope.

Ms Watson plans to use the opportunity, which will see her promote the global 24-hour fundraising walk in Bermuda, to create a support group for people with cancer.

She said: “The goal is to inspire survivors, promote the event and create fun and positive activities for survivors going forward.

“I really want to use this platform to find a way to provide things that weren’t available when I was diagnosed.”

Ms Watson is in consultation with Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre to start a general cancer support group and said she hoped to see subgroups set up for different forms of the disease.

She added the goal was to provide information and resources, but also to encourage people to speak about the disease and tackle the stigma that surrounds it.

She said: “I want to encourage people to share so that we can learn from each other and also help them realise that, while I am the Global Hero of Hope, we are all messengers of hope.”

Ms Watson came up with the idea for a support group in 2015 and said she was excited to see it become a reality.

She said: “With this title, with this platform, I think this is the perfect time to really create something beautiful.”

Ms Watson’s colon cancer was discovered after an examination on Valentine’s Day in 2014.

She took an unconventional approach to the diagnosis and threw an announcement party.

Ms Watson also shared the news on social media and decided to write a book about her progress to inspire others.

She said: “A lot of people don’t talk about it. The isolation just does not help and we want to reverse that.

“I want to create a campaign that shows that there are people who have been diagnosed with the same cancers, been diagnosed at the same age and are in the same profession as you.

“You don’t have to feel alone and there is someone you can reach out to.”

Ms Watson, who was the Relay for Life Purple Couch Ambassador in 2016, was one of 37 people worldwide honoured with the Global Relay for Life Hero of Hope title this year.

She said it felt like a “natural progression” in her life.

Ms Watson added: “It’s exciting and I just hope people can see that life doesn’t end after a diagnosis.

“Just by me being open with my diagnosis, amazing opportunities have come my way and the same could be for somebody else.”

Ms Watson will take part in panel discussions, radio interviews and be a big presence at the Relay for Life event, which will be held at the National Sports Centre on May 18 and 19.

She is putting together a team and has also got in touch with her counterparts abroad to learn about their programmes.

Azuree Williams, BCHC event co-ordinator, said that Ms Watson would also highlight preventive steps such as a healthy diet, less alcohol, regular exercise and stopping smoking.

She added: “We are very delighted to have Giovanna as our Global Hero of Hope representing Bermuda.”

Ms Williams said the event, which is now in its fifth year in Bermuda, started in the United States in 1985.

It is promoted worldwide by the American Cancer Society, which is also responsible for selecting the Global Relay for Life Heroes of Hope.

Ms Williams said: “It’s about celebrating those who are survivors, remembering those who have lost their battle and fighting back to stomp out cancer all together.”

She added that the funds raised through the volunteer-driven event have gone towards BCHC’s new radiation therapy unit.

Ms Williams said: “Relay is a very big deal for Bermuda and for Bermudians.

“It allows our community to come together, raise funds, celebrate, remember, fight back and be part of the cause and the campaign to offer options for Bermudians that weren’t once here.”

Registration is now open. • For more information, visit www.bermudarelay.com

The Royal Gazette