CIBC FIRST CARIBBEAN’S FOURTH WALK FOR THE CURE RAISES $50,000 FOR LOCAL CANCER GROUPS

CIBC FirstCaribbean’s annual Walk for the Cure has raised US$400,000 in 2015. The funds raised will go towards the care and support of persons fighting the disease of cancer across the Caribbean.

The walk, held during the month of October, united over 20,000 passionate participants in 17 countries in which the bank operates, in a demonstration of their commitment to assist those affected by cancer.

The Walk for the Cure started in 2012 as part of the bank’s 10th anniversary celebrations. That year, the Walk raised just over US$30,000. In 2013 the funds raised increased to $100,000 and, in 2014, the Walk for the Cure raised approximately US$200,000 to support critical cancer care, purchase vital equipment necessary to treat patients and host general education programs to create greater awareness of the disease across the region. Hailing this year as a phenomenal success, Co-Chairs for this year’s walk, CIBC FirstCaribbean Executives, Trevor Torzsas and Mark St. Hill, praised the fund-raising efforts of the bank’s staff and the enthusiastic support of the business community who came on board as sponsors.

This year, the 2015 Walk for the Cure partnered with St. Lucia Cancer Society and Faces of Cancer and doubled last year’s contributions to $50,000 in St. Lucia. Local sponsors for the event included, as regional sponsors: Ernst & Young, Fujitsu, Guardsman, Massy United Insurance, Tata Consultancy Services and Sandals; as gold sponsors: Digicel and Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort; as silver sponsors: LIME and M&R Ltd.; and as bronze sponsors: Anse Chastanet, Bay Gardens Beach Resort, Blue Waters, BRAWO, Courts, Mr. Irvin Emmanuel, Felly Belly, Floissac Lawyers, Greene & Associates, Massy Distributors, Rituals, Sea Island Cotton Shop and Touch Therapies Day Spa.

Country Manager, Ladesa James-Williams, thanked both staff and sponsors for their ongoing commitment to growing the event each year.

She added: “This has been a record year of support from our CIBC FirstCaribbean family. This support and the growth of Walk for the Cure, now in its fourth year, shows just how important the issue of cancer is. The St. Lucia Cancer Society and Faces of Cancer do outstanding work in our communities: supporting affected families, raising the level of public awareness, promoting early detection and healthy lifestyles. Our support this year broadens the reach of these organisations and it means assistance with medical care to those who need it most.”

One of this year’s participants expressed great hope for the future, noting that, “Many people have been affected by cancer one way or another, whether it’s family members, neighbours, co-workers or friends. Events like Walk for the Cure show that you’re not in the fight alone and that we’re all working towards better education, healthier lives and that moment in the future where cancer no longer has a negative impact on the lives of those around you. I have hope for the day when cancer is a distant memory!”

Each year, the Walk for the Cure is held to coincide with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s CIBC Run for the Cure sponsored by the bank’s parent company, CIBC. CIBC has been supporting this event for more than 20 years, donating millions to breast cancer research in Canada.