Eight cancer organizations across The Bahamas are now better able to provide quality care and counselling to cancer patients and their families.
With the $70,000 raised from Walk for the Cure 2019, ports, medicine and needles will be procured, and housing and transportation continuously provided for patients from various islands.
The funds raised during CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Walk for the Cure 2019, were donated to Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, The Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group of Grand Bahama, the Cancer Societies of Abaco, Eleuthera and Grand Bahama, and the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama.
For the last eight years, both the Cancer Society of The Bahamas and Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group have been beneficiaries of funds raised from the walk. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, they describe this year’s donation as “very timely.”
According to Lovern Wildgoose, Cancer Society of The Bahamas Past President & Director, the 10 rooms at the Cancer Society have been filled for the past 5 to 6 months, and the organization incurs bills of up to $45,000 a month while the organization has been forced to cancel all of its fundraising events.
“We only have Family Island patients coming in at this time while they’re doing their treatments. They stay free of charge and we have to bear the costs. Sponsors, thank you, because without you this would not happen,” she said.
Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group said that they are also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of travel restrictions, the organization has had an influx of individuals across the country asking for ports and assistance with medical tests.
“Sometimes we forget that we have individuals on the islands who also need assistance, so you being able to spread this contribution around is very timely. We thank you, sponsors, for continued support because it goes a very long way,” said Shantelle Cox-Hutchinson, Sister Sister Support Group Treasurer.
Marie Rodland-Allen, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Managing Director noted that, “in keeping with CIBC FirstCaribbean’s promise to make a bigger impact in the islands affected by Hurricane Dorian, the bank added Sister Sister Support Group of Abaco to its list of recipients and increased the amount donated to the organizations on Abaco and Grand Bahama.”
Walk for The Cure 2019 Gold Sponsor, Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), donated $3,250 to the fundraiser last year. BPL Director of Communications, Quincy Parker, said the power company “counts it a privilege to partner with CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Walk for the Cure.”
“We at BPL know a thing or two about taking on seemingly insurmountable challenges, and we know how indispensable partners are in such lofty endeavors. To the organizations that benefit from this work: we are working for you. We thank you for the opportunity to partner with you to improve outcomes for our country and our citizens. To our cosponsors, thank you for laboring in the field with us; we are proud to work alongside such bright lights as you,” he added.
“The fight against cancer is one that we at McKinney hold close to our hearts, as the disease has impacted members of our own family. Our firm is committed to supporting our community in the fight to find the cure for this disease and we are committed to our continued sponsorship of the Walk for the Cure. We commend FirstCaribbean on another successful Walk for the Cure and look forward to future partnerships,” added Gia Sands, Senior Associate at McKinney Bancroft & Hughes, a silver sponsor. Other Silver Sponsors for Walk for the Cure 2019 included Restaurant Bahamas, Colina, Graham Thompson, ALIV, Commonwealth Brewery, and Doctor’s Hospital. Bronze Sponsors comprised of Lyford Cay Club, Café Channing Noel, BAF Financial, Animal Medical Group, Wemco, Airborne Freight, Baha Mar, Avis, Atlantic Medical, New Oriental Cleaners, Quality Home Centre, and Bamboo Shack. While aware of the financial climate, CIBC FirstCaribbean expressed that they also acknowledge that the fight against cancer must continue, and will carry on its Walk for the Cure fundraising efforts this year.
Back Row L-R: Quincy Parker, BPL Director of Communications; Gia Sands, McKinney Bancroft & Hughes Senior Associate; Jayme Pinder, ALIV Coordinator of Events and Sponsorships; Samantha Rolle, BPL Representative Front Row L-R: Lovern Wildgoose, Cancer Society of The Bahamas Past President & Director; Marie Rodland-Allen, CIBC FirstCaribbean Managing Director; Shantelle Cox-Hutchinson, Sister Sister Support Group Treasurer CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Walk for the Cure 2019 raised $70,000 for various cancer organizations across The Bahamas. Photo Credit: ashley@serenawilliams-pr.com
About CIBC FirstCaribbean
CIBC FirstCaribbean is a relationship bank offering a full range of market leading financial services through our Corporate and Investment Banking, Retail and Business Banking and Wealth Management segments. We are located in sixteen (16) countries around the Caribbean, providing the banking services that fit our customers’ lives through approximately 3,000 employees in 68 branches and offices. We are one of the largest regionally listed financial services institutions in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, with over US$11 billion in assets and market capitalization of US $2 billion. We also have an office in Hong Kong. The face of banking is changing throughout the world and CIBC FirstCaribbean intends to lead these changes with the expertise, integrity and knowledge gained from banking in the Caribbean since 1836. CIBC FirstCaribbean is a member of the CIBC Group. CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets - 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.
