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Press Release From Independent Source

CIBC First Caribbean, BVI Cancer Society team up for 7th 'Walk for the Cure'

Participants after during the 2018 edition of the 'Walk for the Cure' initative. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The BVI Cancer Society has agreed to join its annual walk with CIBC FirstCaribbean’s 7th Walk for the Cure.

According to a press release dated Monday, September 23, 2019, the cancer awareness and fundraising initiative is set to take place on Saturday, October 12, 2019, and the public is encouraged to take part in the event.  The walk (or run) starts at 5.30am from the bank’s car park in Road Town to the well at Sea Cow’s Bay and follows the same route back to the car park.

A regionwide event, each of the CIBC FirstCaribbean banks in 16 countries in the English and Dutch Caribbean will be hosting a walk during September and October as part of the institution’s  efforts to raise awareness and funds for local cancer fighting organisations.

The entry fee of $20 goes to the cancer fund. Participants will receive a free T-shirt (subject to availability) as well as refreshments and a light breakfast courtesy of Caribbean Cellars and Road Town Wholesale through their donation to the BVI Cancer Society. Registration forms for the Walk for the Cure are available from CIBC FirstCaribbean and the BVI Cancer Society. 

“The BVI Cancer Society has been the beneficiary of the funds raised from the annual Walk for the Cure in the Virgin Islands since 2012 when the initiative was first launched,” said Fabian Devonish, Branch Manager, CIBC FirstCaribbean. “The society has always supported the bank’s efforts and we are pleased that they have agreed to join their annual walk with ours.

“We have a shared belief that it is more impactful to have a bigger body of participants walking together for the cause and that, in the process of demonstrating sympathy, empathy and support for all impacted by the disease in one way or another, we can raise even more funds to help tackle cancer. We are grateful to our local sponsors whose donations will go a long way in helping us hit our target which this year is in excess of $20,000.”

Mrs. Gloria Fahie, President of the BVI Cancer Society thanked the bank for its consistent support of the not-for-profit organisation with a financial donation every year. She said there is an urgent need for the community to be aware of the prevalence of the disease and the need for funding as the number of cancer patients seeking support and treatment has increased.

“I have to really thank CIBC FirstCaribbean for their commitment to the cause and to the BVI Cancer Society,” said Mrs. Fahie. “Each year we have received bigger and bigger donations from them which go a long way to enabling us to assist cancer patients with clinic visits, oncology treatments, travel and so on, as well as helping us to cover our admin costs. 

“We have a lot of requests for help right now, whether for advice and information or financial support.”

Mrs Fahie said she was saddened by what appears to be a growing number of younger persons suffering with cancer. She noted that those affected range from young toddlers through young adults. She stressed that it was important to remember that many cancers can be successfully treated if caught early enough. Therefore she said a big part of their push is on educating people on how to heed warning signs and seek diagnosis and treatment sooner rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.

“I would really love to see as many people in our community as possible come out in force and join in the Walk for the Cure. It’s not a strenuous walk and we have seen children as young as seven take part!” she added.

The bank has established accounts at its branches across the Caribbean, into which the public may deposit their donations to support the local cancer organisations in their work with patients and their caregivers. The account number for the Virgin Islands is 2345150573.

Last year the combined efforts of the various organizing committees, sponsors and participants in the 16 territories where the bank has a presence raised a total of USD $512 367.39 in support of various cancer care and awareness charities. The VI branch raised $20,015.38 for the BVI Cancer Society doubling its donation of 2016.

The Walk for the Cure is supported by local Platinum sponsor, Tradewinds, Gold sponsor EMC (Engineering Management Construction), Silver sponsor Colonial Insurance (BVI) Ltd as well as JOMA Properties Ltd, O’Neal Webster, Harneys, BVI Painters & Marine Refinishers, Hydrocarbon Outsource, Smith’s Gore, BCQS International, Conyers, Dill & Pearman, Hatstone, Caribbean Insurers Limited, Tortola Concrete Ltd and One Mart Supermarket.

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