CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Head of Corporate Banking, Vernecia E. Holder, center, is flanked by President of the BVI Cancer Society Ms Gloria A. Fahie, right, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BVI Health Services Authority, Dr Ronald E. Georges at the cheque presentation on March 3, 2020. Photo: VINO

Participants after the 2018 edition of the 'Walk for the Cure' initiative. Photo: Provided

Walk for the Cure is an annual event held by CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank since 2012. The event raised a record amount last year- $39,200.00.

On March 3, 2020 at a simple ceremony held at FirstCaribbean International Bank  on Tortola, where all the corporate donors of the event were present, the BVI Cancer Society was given a cheque valued $29,200 while the BVIHSA was given $10,000.

CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Head of Corporate Banking, Vernecia E. Holder, said that the amount was raised through a record 300 registered participants and the support of regional and local corporate sponsors.

“I would like to take this time to publicly acknowledge the sponsors who joined CIBC FirstCaribbean in this initiative: Regional Sponsor: Flow, Local Platinum sponsor: Tradewinds, Gold sponsor: EMCs Caribbean Ltd., Silver sponsor: Colonial Insurance (BVI) Ltd, Bronze sponsors: BCQS International, BVI Painters & Marine Refinishers, Caribbean Insurers, Conyers, Dill & Pearman Limited, Harneys, Hatstone, Hydrocarbon Outsource Limited, JOMA Properties Ltd, O’Neal Webster, One Mart Foods, Smith’s Gore, and Tortola Concrete Ltd.”

Mrs Holder said the bank anticipates a similar or even larger support and more monies raised when the walk takes place on Saturday October 10, 2020, as already sponsors have begun registering their interest.

Cancer Society website

President of the BVI Cancer Society Ms Gloria A. Fahie appealed to all persons to make a collective effort to raise awareness, to educate and to support healthy lifestyles, with a view to curbing this disease.

As a cancer survivor and an advocate for the cure, Ms Fahie said she is passionate about supporting, educating and helping cancer victims through the BVI Cancer Society.

“I do not believe that this disease has left any family here in the Virgin Islands unscathed.”

According to Ms Fahie, the donation has been earmarked for assisting with the set up and running of the Society’s website.

“This will enable donors like yourselves and others to access information and follow the work which we are undertaking locally. It will also help us in initiating our first ever support group system, which we are determined to implement this year,” said Ms Fahie.

Screening & Cancer Registry

On the other hand, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BVI Health Services Authority, Dr Ronald E. Georges said he would like to see some of the funds used to assist persons requiring access to screening, “And perhaps some of the money we can also put aside to deal with the cancer registry.”

He said the BVIHSA has a number of services that deal with cancer, “In terms of cancer prevention we do have a digital mammogram at the hospital which is perhaps one of the best in the island if not in this part of the region. We also are looking to start very soon endoscopy services, which is basically one of the ways you detect, screen and prevent colon cancer on an early basis.”

Additionally, the BVIHSA has a cancer programme which sees them collaborating with practitioners all over the world, “In terms of the cases of cancers that comes to us to deal with.”

Dr Georges further said the BVIHSA is still in the process of developing the legislation for the continued development of a cancer registry.

“Cancer registries are extremely important for counties to know and understand not just the burden of cancer but the types of cancers, the age groups and the other risk factors that need to consult. It gives the information required to better deal with this issue.”