23 May. Nunatsiaq News. Patricia D'Souza, patriciad@nunatsiaq.com describes the thrills of parasailing in the Arctic. Full text, 975 words, at http://www.nunatsiaq.com/news/features/30523_01.html
Patricia D'Souza is the managing editor of Nunatsiaq News, a newspaper in the Canadian Arctic covering the territory of Nunavut. She was born in Canada and is of Goan origin. Her parents were born in East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania) and moved to Canada in 1972.

In recognizing Dr, Gilbert Lawrence, Radiation Oncologist at the Regional Cancer Center, the newspaper and the award committee said, "He always has a smile on his face and approaches everyone with an open and positive attitude. He demonstrates an ability to truly communicate caring and concern to the patients and the families. He willingly volunteers his time to promote cancer awareness."

Hi Aldonkars,

This autobiography is not for personal aggrandizement. However if it inspires one Aldona child, it would worth the effort. I thank you in anticipation for your consideration. Keep up the good work on the Aldona net.

Gilbert A. Lawrence, MBBS, MS (Bombay), DMRT (Engl.), FRCR (Lond.)

Dr. Gilbert Lawrence is from Aldona. His father was from Xantarxette and his mother from Guirdolim (near Chandor) in Salsette. Gilbert was born in Bombay, the last of eight children. He studied in St. Thomas High School in Aldona (1952-1955) and graduated from Loyola High School in Margao at the age of thirteen. He studied at St. Xavier’s College, Bombay, and Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Bombay. In 1968 he graduated from medical school at the young age of 23. He then studied to be a surgeon at KEM Hospital and Tata Memorial Hospital in Bombay in 1972.

On obtaining his Masters in Surgery Degree from Bombay University, Dr. Lawrence’s interests in cancer took him to England to study Radiation Oncology -- the art and science of treating tumors with radiation. He was appointed Registrar in Radiation Oncology at the Hammersmith Hospital in London, and later Senior Registrar at the London Hospital and Medical School. In 1976 Dr. Lawrence obtained his Diploma in Medical Radiation Therapy (DMRT) from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England, and also the Fellowship from the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR). At the FRCR examination he stood first and was awarded the Rohan Williams Medal. In doing so, Dr. Lawrence was the first Indian to be awarded the prestigious British award in a medical subspecialty examination coveted by physicians from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia and all former British colonies.

Dr. Lawrence immigrated to the United States in 1977 and was appointed a research fellow at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, NY, and later as chief investigator of fast neutron treatment in cancer at the Fermi National Laboratory – America’s highest energy research facility in Batavia, Illinois. Dr. Lawrence is also Board certified by the American College of Radiology in Radiation Oncology.

During his career, Dr. Lawrence has published over sixty papers and review articles in many cancer journals. His special interest is the treatment of breast and prostate cancers. He has held numerous academic appointments including Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Kansas Medical School. He is the recipient of numerous awards in the United States and has been the guest speaker at many medical meetings and international conferences.

Currently, Dr. Lawrence is Chairman of the Cancer Committee at the Regional Cancer Centre at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, NY. Dr. Lawrence is married to Philomena who is from Sangolda. She graduated from St. Anne’s High School, Bombay, received the Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Xavier’s College, Bombay and Bachelor of Education from St. Xavier’s Institute of Education and taught at St. Xavier’s Boys’ Academy. She is now a writer. Philomena and Gilbert were married in 1973 and have one daughter. The Lawrences’ hobbies are travel, history and amateur ballroom dancing