Many attended ‘Walk for the Cure 2017’ with babies in arms and strollers.
On Sunday, friends and work colleagues came together to wear pink and walk to raise funds to fight breast cancer in Barbados.
THE CIBC FirstCaribbean and the Barbados Cancer Society Breast Screening Programme “Walk for the Cure 2017” which took place on Sunday attracted over 18 000 participants.
While delivering brief remarks before the scheduled 4 pm start of the event, FirstCaribbean’s, Managing Director, Donna Wellington thanked the thousands for supporting the cause. She revealed that BDS$200 000 had already been raised in pre walk funds and explained that the money would be donated to support the work of the Breast Screening Programme.
“It’s really great to see this turn out this afternoon. I am hoping it’s bigger than last year. Thank you for joining us for this wonderful cause. This walk and run is more than a walk and run. It is an exercise that is very dear to us.
“We can see that you care about cancers impact, about raising awareness about the disease and about supporting our partners at the Breast Screening so that they can offer support to scores of women who need it,” Wellignton said.
“This is our fifth walk and the bank normally does this in 17 countries around the region, but, this year unfortunately, with the passage of Irma and Maria, many of our brothers and sisters in those five islands cannot hold their walk as they try to restore some order to their everyday lives,” the Managing Director added.
The massive crowd that turned out demonstrated that Barbadians are definitely becoming more aware of the significant impact the illness has not only on those suffering from it, but also their loved ones and friends.
Pregnant women, men, teenagers, church groups, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the elderly and even babies in strollers, came out in their numbers to support the worthy cause.
Also speaking before the start of the event, Medical Co-ordinator of the Breast Screening Programme, Dr. Shirley Hanoman-Jhagroo said the funds raised this year, will be used to update equipment currently being used for radiotherapy, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
The Medical Co-ordinator said the equipment currently being used is unacceptable and noted that there is a need for a linear accelerator which is what is used in first world countries. “We have to send our patients overseas to have this radiotherapy. This should be available on our island because it is not only used for breast cancer; it is used for so many other cancers.
“It is going to cost millions and I don’t think the Breast Screening Programme can do it on its own. We need the support of Barbados to do it and we can,” Dr. Hanoman-Jhagroo said.
The 5K Walkers, who created a sea of pink, started from opposite the CIBC FirstCaribbean Head office to the Hinds Hill stop lights; headed to Queens College, turned right by the stop lights at Queens College, continued to the junction by Simpson Motors, turned right and headed to the Massy Car Park for after walk activities.There was also a 10K and 5K run. (AH)