CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Go Pink Week of Activities in support of Breast Cancer ended with a bang last Friday with the airing of the programme Music for the Cure on ABS TV.
The weekend of the 2-3 October should have seen the 10th Anniversary of the bank’s Walk for the Cure which had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions and protocols.
Natasha Charles of the Walk for the Cure Committee explained that all plans were in place for a small Walk and a Drive for the Cure. However, in September, with Covid cases rising in Antigua, the Committee realized that changes had to be made.
“So we cancelled those plans and instead decided to host a Week of Activities from 1st to 8th October to raise awareness of cancer, to offer support to those with cancer and to raise funds to support the work of the Breast Friends Organisation and the Oncology Department of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.”
Both branches of the bank were decorated with balloons, streamers and ribbons and individuals and business were encouraged to do the same. There is an ongoing raffle and Walk for the Cure shirts are on sale.
Charles acknowledged the great role played by ABS TV in the production of the programme Music for the Cure which was aired on Friday evening and repeated on Sunday afternoon.
ABS TV’s General Manager Erna Mae Brathwaite took a personal interest in the production of this programme which featured music by the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO) and an interview with staff member, Mrs. Lornette Belle James Knight, who is a cancer survivor.
“The interview which was conducted by Mrs. Natalie Clarke-White has so far garnered over 6,500 hits on the ABS TV Facebook page. It was deeply moving and very inspirational. We thank Mrs. Brathwaite, Mrs. Clarke-White and the ABS TV production team who made this all possible. Our gratitude also to Ms. Claudine Benjamin and the members of the ABYSO for so willingly agreeing to be a part of this programme.,” said Ms. Charles.
Meanwhile Ladesa James-Williams, the bank’s Country Head, added her thanks to all the corporate sponsors who, despite the effects of the pandemic, have teamed up with the bank to support this project.
“We are hoping to raise $50,000 to donate to the Breast Friends Organisation and the Oncology Department at SLBMC. Our cancer patients need our support and we continue to encourage everyone to become aware of cancers and have annual medical check-ups,” she said.
CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Walk for the Cure is one of the Caribbean’s largest fundraising and educational cancer programmes. It has raised millions of dollars over the past 10 years.