Delaney: Cancer has not taken a backseat to COVID-19

Chief Executive Officer of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, Colette Delaney, made the declaration “Cancer has not taken a backseat to COVID-19,” during the Walk For the Cure and Concert of Hope virtual event on Sunday. As thousands of Caribbean people tuned in via the Zoom virtual platform, the bank executive said that no one could imagine that since last year’s event the world would change in this manner.

She added that the coronavirus has upended the world as we know it and affected how we work, play, and socialise. But she stressed that it has changed how, but not why, people walk for the cure. And she and the charity’s trustees were unanimous in their decision to host a walk this year.

“More than ever before, the many cancer education carers and support organisations need our support. The fallout from the pandemic has severely affected many of them, challenging their ability to carry out their lifesaving work,” said Delaney.

She noted that this virtual event allows them to keep the spotlight on the organisations, institutions, and persons dedicated to the early detection and prevention of cancer. Delaney also lauded those who care for persons with the disease in their families and expressed appreciation to the bank’s corporate sponsors, and bank staff who assist with fundraising activities.

The CEO indicated that funds from the event will be donated to the maintenance and purchase of equipment for the diagnosis of cancer patients, as well as assistance, care and counselling to patients and families.

The CARICOM head of Government on matters of health and wellness and Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Timothy Harris also made a brief address at the virtual event. He acknowledged that Walk for the Cure is the largest and most prominent cancer awareness and fundraising event in the region. Dr. Harris noted that the event has raised over US$2.7 million dollars for cancer diagnosis and treatment since its inception in 2012.

He underlined that with the success of the fundraising event Walk with the Cure and promising advances in cancer treatment and care, this gives us reason to hope. Yet he pointed out that cancer is the second leading cause of death after heart disease in the Caribbean.

“Population-based data suggest by the year 2030, there could be as many as 1.6 million new cancer cases in the region,” said Dr. Harris.

In his closing remarks, he encouraged women and men to get screened for cancer.

Sunday’s concert featured Caribbean artistes including Skinny Fabulous, Lil Rick and King James. The start of the event featured energetic sessions by Dance Machine from Barbados, and Mad Andru from Jamaica.

Viewers were invited to donate to the cause via Ticketlinkz.com. Due to COVID-19, this was the first time, the CIBC First Caribbean International Bank hosted the Walk for the Cure Event using a virtual platform. This is the ninth year for the regional charity event. In 2019, about 20 000 Barbadians participated in the walk in Barbados and CIBC First Caribbean Intl Bank donated BBD$200 000 to the Barbados Cancer Society’s (BCS) Breast Screening Programme.