On Saturday, July 30th, survivors, supporters, fitness buffs and soca fans will be able to fete for a cause at CIBC FirstCaribbean’s ‘Soca for the Cure’ event. This interactive fitness experience, which launches the fundraising season that leads up to the bank’s 5th Annual Walk for the Cure in October, promises to be unlike any other fundraiser, with soca fitness instructor Macumbla “Comby” Smith leading the charge.
The event will be held from 8:00am to 10:00am at the Melia Nassau Beach All Inclusive hotel. For a $15.00 donation, participants will join Comby in his exciting aerobic workouts and will be treated to a live DJ and performances by dynamic Bahamian entertainers. Healthy snacks and refreshments will be provided and CIBC FirstCaribbean and sponsors will be giving out a variety of exciting prizes throughout the event.
Comby, who will lead the ‘socaerobics’ sessions, says he expects a big crowd and participants should come dressed to sweat and ready to party.
“Our idea is to create an atmosphere where people can let loose and turn fitness into fun. So on the 30th come with an open mind, because this isn’t your traditional fitness experience. We will dance, shout and sweat. Prepare to party!” He said, “We are expecting a big turnout; the room holds 300 people and we intend to fill it. My classes are bursting at the seams and I have 12,000 people following me on Facebook. I hope to translate that demand into a great turnout.”
He stated that he is excited for the event and jumped at the opportunity when CIBC FirstCaribbean approached him.
“I created fitness programs for CIBC FirstCaribbean’s employees in the past, so when they reached out to me about having a fitness dance party there was no question about it. I am familiar with cancer. My mom is a cancer survivor, so I immediately jumped on board.”
Rhondi Robinson, CIBC FirstCaribbean staff member and cancer survivor; Macumbla ‘Comby’ Smith, soca fitness instructor; and Comby’s mother, Yvonne McCartney, who is also a cancer survivor, are ready to battle cancer at the CIBC FirstCaribbean Soca for the Cure event at the Melia Nassau Beach All Inclusive hotel on July 30th.
The event kick-starts the fundraising season which leads up to the bank’s regional fundraising event, The Walk for the Cure, scheduled for October 2, 2016. This will mark the fifth year that CIBC FirstCaribbean will host the fun run walk and each year the event grows larger in size and dollars raised.
Last year, 1,000 participants registered for the Walk in the Bahamas and over $77,000 were donated to eight local cancer charities including Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Groups of New Providence and Grand Bahama, The Cancer Society of The Bahamas, The Cancer Societies of Abaco, Eleuthera and Grand Bahama, The Cancer Association of Grand Bahama and the One Eleuthera Foundation. Supplemental fundraising events like ‘Soca for the Cure’ are key in making the campaign a success by increasing awareness and helping to raise funds.
Comby stated that these kinds of events play a large part in the fight against this devastating disease.
“It is important that Bahamians support events like Soca for the Cure. Cancer is rampant in our country. More than 65% of the Bahamian population is obese. In my opinion, getting people to live more active and healthy lives is a big part of battling this disease. It’s wonderful that CIBC FirstCaribbean is encouraging Bahamians to maintain a healthy lifestyle while supporting others through their participation in this event.
Maya Nottage, CIBC FirstCaribbean Marketing Manager and member of the committee for Walk for the Cure said that the bank is looking forward to the kick off of their fundraising events.
“At CIBC FirstCaribbean, we believe that it’s our duty as a good corporate citizen to continually support and have a positive impact on the communities that we serve. Many of our employees and their families have been affected by various forms of cancer, so naturally our team is very passionate about championing this cause.
We are very excited about the Soca for the Cure fundraiser. This is the first major event of this year’s Walk for the Cure campaign and we plan to make it our most successful fundraising drive yet. We’re also proud to partner with brands like Caribbean Sweat Fitness and grateful for the support of the Melia Nassau Beach and other sponsors who are helping us to create a healthier Bahamas through their participation. This is going to be an amazing experience!
About CIBC FirstCaribbean
CIBC FirstCaribbean is the largest, regionally-listed bank in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean serving over 400 000 customers in 17 markets, through approximately 2,700 staff, across 100 branches and offices. The bank, which has almost 250 years of combined experience in the region, offers a full range of market-leading financial services in: Corporate and Investment Banking, Treasury Sales and Trading, Retail Banking, Wealth Management, Small Business and Credit Cards.
CIBC FirstCaribbean is a member of the CIBC Group. CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking – CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world.
By Debra King
Source: Serena Williams Media & Public Relations
