Bridgetown, Barbados, 10, January, 2019 – CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Walk for the Cure, the region’s largest cancer fundraiser has again topped the US half million mark in fundraising for cancer causes across the English and Dutch Caribbean.  

Last year the combined efforts of the various organizing committees, sponsors and participants in the 17 territories where the bank has a presence raised a total of USD $512 367.39 in support of various cancer care and awareness charities. The majority of this was in cash, with some sponsors donating services to assist with fund-raising.

Additionally, there was a significant uptick in the number of people taking part in the walk; 32,200 as opposed to 19,800 in 2017.

“I am delighted to report that our collective efforts have paid off handsomely again as this latest figure surpasses 2017’s total of just under USD$450 000,” said Walk Co-Chair and CIBC FirstCaribbean Executive, Mark St. Hill.

In 2016 the event also surpassed the USD $500 000 mark but the adverse effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 led to the cancellation of walks in some territories and a consequent dip in funds raised.

Mr. St. Hill said he was “humbled by the thousands of men, women and children who answer our call every year to don their shirts and take the streets by the thousands to join in our crusade against cancer. It is very clear that after seven years of sustained effort on the part of our staff and scores of dedicated corporate sponsors that our Walk for the Cure has emerged as the largest single cancer fundraiser in this region.”

Last year’s figures bring the total number of funds raised in the past seven years to over USD $2.2 million and Mr. St. Hill noted that this was also a “remarkable achievement for such a relatively young event”.

Last year’s walks were for the first time spread over two months spanning weekends in September and October in various territories instead of most walks taking place on the first weekend in October as usual. The change was a result of the unpredictability of the weather around the region at that time of year.

Walk committees in each territory partner with local cancer charities which are the recipients of the funds raised in their respective territory.

The bank raised E.C 37,639.90 in St. Kitts-Nevis, which was shared amongst the cancer awareness groups in the Federation.

All of the funds raised go to providing assistance, care and counselling to cancer patients and their families as well as to raise awareness through education campaigns across the region. The funds also help the various organisations to assist with the purchase and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.

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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 seventeen (17) 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$12 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.

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Media contact:

Debra King, Director of Corporate Communications, CIBC FirstCaribbean, Barbados Head Office; telephone: 246 367 2248; fax: 246 421 7148 and email: debra.king@cibcfcib.com