Charity walk raises US$60k for Cancer Society
CIBC FirstCaribbean volunteers with members of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society at Walk for the Cure
(CNS Local Life): The Cayman Islands’ participation in CIBC FirstCaribbean’s seventh annual Walk for the Cure last October led to a US$60,000 donation to the local branch of the Cancer Society. Overall, the region’s largest cancer fundraiser topped US$500,000 through events held throughout the Caribbean.
All of the money raised goes to providing assistance, care and counselling to cancer patients and their families as well as to raise awareness through education campaigns across the region, stated a press release from the bank. The funds also help the various organisations assist with the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. The majority of donations was in cash, with some sponsors offering services to assist with fundraising.
Last year’s funds were raised through the combined efforts of the various organising committees, sponsors and participants in the 17 territories where CIBC FirstCaribbean has a presence. There was also a significant uptick in the number of people taking part in the walk; 32,200 compared to19,800 in 2017.
“I am delighted to report that our collective efforts have paid off handsomely again as this latest figure surpasses 2017’s total of just under US$450,000,” said Walk co-chair and CIBC FirstCaribbean executive, Mark St Hill in the press release.
In 2016 the event also surpassed the US$500,000 mark but the adverse effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 led to the cancellation of walks in some territories and a consequent dip in funds raised.
St Hill said he was “humbled by the thousands of men, women and children who answer our call every year to don their shirts and take the streets by the thousands to join in our crusade against cancer.
“It is very clear that after seven years of sustained effort on the part of our staff and scores of dedicated corporate sponsors that our Walk for the Cure has emerged as the largest single cancer fundraiser in this region.”
Last year’s figures bring the total number of funds raised over the past seven years to more than US$2.2 million.
In 2018, walks were for the first time spread over two months spanning weekends in September and October in various territories instead of most taking place on the first weekend in October. The change was a result of the unpredictability of the weather around the region at that time of year.
Walk committees in each territory partner with local cancer charities which are the recipients of the funds raised in their respective territory, with the Cayman Islands Cancer Society the beneficiary in Cayman.
Category: Community, Fundraiser
