BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FINANCIAL institution CIBC FirstcCaribbean has launched its annual ‘Walk for the Cure’ to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer in St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider world.
The institution’s branches in the Caribbean and around the world use the opportunity to raise monies for partnering with non-governmental groups that provide support to those in need of the life-saving treatment and care.
This year, Firstcaribbean St. Kitts and Nevis is partnering with the A Time 4 Us Foundation, which primary aim is to complete the Cancer Wing at the Joseph N France Hospital.
President of the NGO Connie J. Jaynes expressed pleasure to be partnering with the financial institution in their efforts to combat breast cancer. She told media representatives during the launch at the institution’s Basseterre Head Office that the bank is known for its tremendous efforts in education, prevention and assistance of those with breast and other forms of cancer.
She noted that the treatment and care for persons with cancer is the foundation's priority, adding that three of the five counsellors at the NGO are cancer survivors.
“Up front and personal, we know the toll that it can take. We look forward to the activities ahead to partner in such an area to work with our community partners, our individual donors; with the Ministry [of Health] and various aspects, as we work to get the St. Kitts-Nevis Cancer Center established and up and running so that we can truly have effective cancer care available for all.”
CIBC Firstcaribbean Country Manager G. Diane Francis said that the bank's mission through the Walk for the Cure is not only to raise funds, but to also raise the level of awareness whilst providing support to those who continue to fight the disease, as well as to honour those who lost the battle in the Federation.
Minister of Health the Hon. Eugene Hamilton noted that it is through private partnerships that the fight against cancer could be won.
He noted that over the last six years the Federation’s statistics have shown that the rate of new cancer patients have been trending in a downward direction, which is important for the country.
The Walk for the Cure is slated for October.
