CIBC FirstCaribbean launched their 6th annual “Walk for the Cure” campaign this week with a press conference at their Shirley Street headquarters. The popular fundraising event held during cancer awareness month each year is set for Sunday October 1st at Goodman’s Bay Corporate Center.
With activities scheduled from August to October, this year’s events commence with a soca “Battle of the DJs” party on Saturday August 12th at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel. Soca fans, dance enthusiasts and campaign supporters can enjoy fierce, rhythmic beats and fun music from 7:00pm until 10:00pm, courtesy of radio host The Natural Empress and DJs AI, Pressure, Bravo, and Ming. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at any CIBC FirstCaribbean branch (in Nassau).
The official Walk is set for October 1st in New Providence and September 30th in Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Abaco. The public is invited to buy ‘Walk for the Cure’ tickets, priced at $20 for adults and $15 for children ages 12 and under. Additionally, donations can be made to any CIBC FirstCaribbean branch.
Bank Managing Director Trevor Torzsas expressed enthusiasm for the anticipated turnout.
“We look forward to growing the event here in The Bahamas. We had over 700 people last year. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a Sunday morning and everyone gets together…there’s food, there’s a prayer service, there’s music, and it’s really a great event. And it’s not just for the adults – it’s for the kids, too. So it’s really becoming a true family event in the Caribbean, and here in The Bahamas.”
The 2016 “‘Walk for the Cure” campaign attracted 42 corporate sponsors, more than 700 walkers over four islands, and raised $73,000. This year the bank has a target of over $100,000 and hopes to garner even more support. Torzsas remained positive about the outlook for their goal.
“We haven’t even [officially] started our fundraising and we’ve raised over $10,000, so the sky’s the limit and together we can really make a difference.”
Proceeds go to the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group and the Cancer Society of The Bahamas. Diane Bingham, a representative from the Cancer Society, appealed to the public for support.
“The cost involved in [caring for patients] is fully supported through donations from institutions such as [CIBC FirstCaribbean] and personal donations from the general public. This is why we continue to say thank you so much to CIBC for supporting the efforts of the Cancer Society, and to individuals that continue to donate to the efforts of the Society.
“Each one of us I’m sure at some point can relate to cancer, or someone that has been touched by cancer in their family, so I would like to appeal to the general public to please come out and support the CIBC fun event, ”‘Walk for the Cure,” because at the end of the day, it affects each and every one of us. And who knows – tomorrow, it may affect someone we know and love.”
An informative and useful CIBC “Walk for the Cure” web site will be launched in late August. Regular participants and newcomers to the CIBC events will be able to register and make donations online, and access useful information about the 2017 and previous years’ campaigns.
Those interested in becoming a part of any of these events can also visit their nearest FirstCaribbean branch or contact Maya Nottage at (1-242) 302-6063 for more information.
Each year, the ‘Walk for the Cure’ October event is 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 and now cancer awareness and patient support in The Bahamas. ##
CIBC FirstCaribbean staff and ‘Walk for the Cure’ beneficiaries are all smiles as they anticipate exceptional turnout, support, and loads of fun with this year’s ‘Walk for the Cure campaign.’ From left: Diane Bingham from the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Andrea Sweeting from Sister Sister Breat Cancer Support Group, CIBC FirstCaribbean Managing Director Trevor Torzsas, and CIBC FirstCaribbean Marketing Manager Maya Nottage.
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 2,900 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.
