Fri | Oct 11, 2024

CIBC Caribbean Walk for the Cure 2024 ‘impactful and inspiring’

Published:Friday | October 11, 2024 | 12:08 AM
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Members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), sporting purple tops, at the start the CIBC Caribbean’s Run/Walk for the Cure (WFTC) Sunday morning inside the Hope Botanical Gardens in St. Andrew.
Ian Allen
Members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), sporting purple tops, at the start the CIBC Caribbean’s Run/Walk for the Cure (WFTC) Sunday morning inside the Hope Botanical Gardens in St. Andrew.
Participants in the CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure Run/Walk, warm up before the start of the event.
Ian Allen
Participants in the CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure Run/Walk, warm up before the start of the event.
Persons from a range of groups including schools, businesses, clubs and other institutions turned out for the start of the CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure Run/Walk in the Hope Botanical Gardens early Sunday morning.
Ian Allen
Persons from a range of groups including schools, businesses, clubs and other institutions turned out for the start of the CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure Run/Walk in the Hope Botanical Gardens early Sunday morning.
Tonya Busse (left) and Evan Tetteh (right), female and male winners of the in the CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure Run/Walk are photographed with their trophies .
Ian Allen
Tonya Busse (left) and Evan Tetteh (right), female and male winners of the in the CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure Run/Walk are photographed with their trophies .
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The 13th annual CIBC Caribbean Walk for the Cure took place on October 5 at Hope Botanical Gardens, drawing hundreds of participants in a united front against cancer.

Friends, families, children, parents, men, and women all came together to participate in both the 5K Walk and Run, signifying the strength and resilience of the Caribbean in support of cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones.

The day began at 5:30 a.m. with an energising warm-up session, creating a lively atmosphere for what would become an impactful and inspiring event. Nigel Holness, managing director of CIBC Caribbean, opened the event with heartfelt remarks. “Today marks another significant chapter in our journey to fight cancer together,” Holness said. “We walk not just for one type of cancer but for all cancers, and here in Jamaica, we proudly wear lavender to symbolise hope and unity.”

The Walk for the Cure continues to raise critical funds for organisations such as the Jamaica Cancer Society, a long-standing partner in this initiative. Since its inception in 2012, Walk for the Cure has raised over US$5 million regionally, with funds supporting cancer treatment, patient care, early detection initiatives, and education programs across the Caribbean.

An informative session led by Dr. Tobi Brown of the Jamaica Cancer Society was a key highlight of the event. Dr. Brown emphasised the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Jamaica. “When we can catch the cancer early through screening, we give patients the best chance of survival,” Dr. Brown said.

She recommended that women at normal risk begin annual mammograms at age 40 years and that those with a family history of breast cancer start screening 10 years earlier than the age at which their relative was diagnosed. Dr. Brown also urged participants to adopt healthier lifestyles, including maintaining a balanced diet, reducing processed foods and red meat, and limiting alcohol consumption, as these factors can significantly lower the risk of breast cancer.

Holness closed the event with a message of appreciation and hope. “Congratulations to all our walkers and runners. Your participation today lends crucial support to the Jamaica Cancer Society and helps to improve outcomes for those affected by cancer,” he said. Holness also acknowledged the event’s sponsors and partners, including Running Events Jamaica, for their essential role in making the walk a success.

“As we continue this journey, we stand in solidarity with those affected by cancer. You give us hope, and together, we will keep walking for resilience, for hope, and for the cure,” Holness said.

With plans already under way for Walk for the Cure 2025, CIBC Caribbean remains committed to raising awareness and funds for cancer research and treatment, ensuring that no one faces the fight against cancer alone.