Walkers in last year's CIBC's FirstCaribbean Walk for the Cire in New Providence. (Photo: CIBC FirstCaribbean)
One of the region's largest cancer fundraisers is less than two weeks away and has raised over $350,000 to date in support of cancer care and awareness.
Now in its fifth year, CIBC FirstCaribbean's Walk for the Cure will see thousands of walkers and runners gather together across the 16 territories where the bank operates, converting major thoroughfares into seas of pink and white on October 1 and 2.
All of the funds collected through the Walk for the Cure campaign will be donated to various cancer support organizations to assist with the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The funds are also used to provide assistance, care and counseling to patients and their families, and to raise awareness through education campaigns across the region.
Over the past four years CIBC FirstCaribbean has raised over $1 million from the event primarily supported by corporate donors and numerous fundraising activities and events hosted by staff members.
This year's walk is expected to attract even more participants as the bank has unveiled a new registration website where people can register and encourage others to register and donate to the cause by logging on to http://cibcfcibwalkforthecure.causevox.com.
Co-chairs for this year's walk, CIBC FirstCaribbean Executives Trevor Torzsas and Mark St. Hill praised the fundraising efforts of the bank's staff and the enthusiastic support of the business community who have sponsored the walk campaign.
They were also optimistic that the new website will increase the ability to raise funds for Caribbean people affected by cancer to another level.
"With this new site, we expect to exceed our target of $500,000 significantly. For us that is extremely satisfying, as it means we will now be able to contribute even more to the worthy organizations across the Caribbean who work every day to support those who receive a diagnosis of cancer, as well as their families. Every cent we raise goes towards that goal in some way and we're very proud of that," said Torzsas and St. Hill.
In addition to the website, participants can go to any CIBC FirstCaribbean branch around the region to sign up for the walk or make a contribution.
The walk is also 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.
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