PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - West Indies batting ace Brian Lara, who lost his mother to cancer, launched a cancer treatment centre yesterday in his name at a media conference in the Kapok Hotel in the city. The West Indies captain said it was a bittersweet day for him, because the occasion reminded him of the passing of his parents Bunty and Pearl Lara. "What a bittersweet moment for me. As Trinidad and Tobago is about to inherit the first state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre it also brings back to me memories of my loving parents," Lara said. He added, "My dad passed away in 1989 of a heart attack, another concern for all in the medical field, and also my mom who passed away in 2002, and that is definitely something that has an alliance to this because she died of cancer." He said, though saddened by the memories, deep down inside he was smiling. "I finally felt that it was time that her suffering had stopped and that she had now gone to better things." Pearl battled cancer for 10 years, he said. Lara then stated that one of the reasons he accepted an invitation from the Medcorps Group, which comprises a number of health providers in T&T, to append his name to the centre was that it would cater to all, including the needy who can't afford the treatment. "I wish it was around 10 to 15 years ago. But today onwards, we can boast of having a state-of-the-art cancer centre that is going to be for the very rich to the very poor and that is definitely something that I want to put my name to. It is a great honour," said Lara. "For any man, his name is a major part of his legacy....Today, I say the cancer centre is definitely going to leave a legacy for myself and I place my name and my commitment on my field of play in your hands to ensure that the longevity through the test of time is going to be most successful cancer treatment centre in the region." The centre, which is based in Woodbrook, will take in its first patient in March. Medcorp Chairman Dr Kongshiek Achong-Low told the gathering that to ensure a high calibre centre synonymous with the batting genius of Lara, they gathered a team of professionals who have worked and practised in the UK, US, Canada and Jamaica. They include Dr Anesa Ahamad, oncologist, Dr Kavi Capildeo, a specialist in medical oncology and haematology, Damian Rudder, physicist in the treatment of cancer for 15 years, Amanda Moses, UK-trained physicist, Suzanne Seegobin, radiation therapist and nurse Bernice Bacchus, a cancer survivor. Lara, on behalf of the Pearl and Bunty Lara Foundation, presented a cheque to Bacchus on behalf of the centre, and called on corporate T&T to support the centre. Reprinted from jamaicaobserver.com