CIBC Caribbean is on track to raise close to $100 000 in aid funds for Faces of Cancer and the Saint Lucia Cancer Society through the company’s annual two-day Walk for the Cure event in Saint Lucia.
The walks, an initiative that came to fruition 12 years ago and is held in countries around the region where CIBC operates, are ordinarily held in October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities. However, this year’s event was postponed due to the late arrival and port clearance of the bright pink signature T-shirts worn by participants.
The first installment of Walk for the Cure took place on November 9 in the northern part of the island.
CIBC Country Head Nigel Ollivierre said funds are raised through partners who buy packages and make contributions to help host the event and purchase T-shirts that are then sold to the public.
“All proceeds go to the cause… This year we believe we’ve improved in terms of what we’ve done and the amount of funds raised. I don’t have the final figure yet because we still have the southern walk, but we’re edging closer to our $100 000 goal.”
Day one of Walk for the Cure took place in Gros Islet and drew scores of participants.
Before the walk kicked off, one participant told St. Lucia Times: “I decided to walk today not just for myself as a survivor, but for my friends who are also survivors, my family members who have passed away from this dreadful illness that sometimes seems like a death sentence, and for everyone else currently battling it.”
Her friend added, “I decided to walk to support my friend, because cancer isn’t an individual thing. At any time anyone is susceptible to cancer, so I think bringing awareness is very important, and that we, as women, support each other.”
Ollivierre said CIBC is grateful each year to work alongside Faces of Cancer and the St. Lucia Cancer Society, as the partnerships also help raise awareness. Both organisations, which receive the funds, are dedicated to supporting patients and their families navigating cancer diagnoses, assisting survivors, raising awareness, and advocating for better care and support systems.
“I come out every year to support this because CIBC supports me as a survivor,” said Alyson Chester, a breast cancer survivor and former president of the St. Lucia Cancer Society. “I think it’s important to keep raising awareness and reminding others that there are people who need our help.” Her family joins the event every year.
Ronald Darius was the first to cross the finish line at the walk.
Saint Lucia is the only country in the Caribbean to host two separate Walk for the Cure events in the same year. The second installment will take place in Vieux Fort on November 16.
