Barbados Mourns Janette Lynton, Founder of Cancer Support Services

Barbados has lost one of its key voices in the fight against cancer.

Janette “Jan” Lynton, founder of Cancer Support Services, has passed away.

The organisation posted a heartfelt message on social media today in memory of the woman who dedicated most of her life to bringing comfort and compassion to those battling the illness in all its forms.

“Because of her, thousands of Barbadians never faced cancer alone – on Ward C12, in screening clinics, in their homes,” the message said.

The idea for (CSS) was born out of Lynton’s own struggle, pregnant at age 20 when she quit her job to care for her mother who was ill with cancer.

“I saw the challenging struggle that our family had with my mother, being that all of our siblings were working and I was the last and to find someone to really care for her like how we would care for her, we made that sacrifice,” Jan said in a 2023 interview with The Nation.

“I saw a need for this kind of care at the grassroots level and to give back to the community.”

The organisation grew from a small service to one of the pillars in the local fight. Cancer Support Services adopted Ward C12 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and installed a transition room at the facility to allow relatives to spend time with their loved ones, hold their hands and be with them in their final hours.

In the 2022 Independence Awards, in recognition of her service to the country, Lynton was awarded the Silver Trident of Excellence.

CSS says their services will continue “with brief interruptions expected.”

“We have lost our founder, our leader, our friend…we will honour Jan by carrying on the work she started. We ask that you remember Jan’s entire family in your prayers.” (SAT)