CIBC ‘Walk for the Cure’ Fundraising Event Back on the Road for 2022
by Karen Rollins Sep 19, 2022
The streets of Barbados are set to turn pink again on Sunday 3 October as the annual ‘Walk for the Cure’ event returns following a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The yearly fundraising event usually attracts between 15,000 and 20,000 people, walking or running along a 5km route, while dressed in something pink including sponsored t-shirts.
This year, the event will begin from the FirstCaribbean and Massy Car Park, go along the ABC Highway past the Everton Weekes Roundabout to Clyde Walcott Roundabout and along Waterford Road, before finishing at the National Botanical Gardens, where various after-walk activities will be held.
The route has been changed slightly to keep participants safe and give them more room to spread out, according to Dr Stephanie Date, committee member of the Breast Screening Programme (BSC).
She explained: “We do recognise that several people that come out to this walk are actually survivors, or those who are in remission, so we have chosen a route that will allow us to have a bigger space, a safer atmosphere for these individuals.”
Dr Date told local media that the BSC is hoping to raise a minimum of $170,000 (BBD) which will go towards a stereotactic biopsy machine. The new equipment will work with the previously purchased 3D mammogram machine to “accurately pinpoint microcalcifications and abnormalities”.
She added: “This walk has helped us purchase a state-of-the-art 3D mammogram machine that is functioning in our clinic and is already aiding in more accurate, reliable and early detection of breast cancer in Barbados. Every day, we can screen both men and women for this disease, which unfortunately continues to be the most common cancer in the world, with more aggressive subtypes being found in people of African Descent.
“This year, when you come out to Walk for the Cure, we will be raising funds to maintain our clinic and our equipment but also to research this disease in our population and we are shifting our sights onto raising money to purchase a special add-on piece of equipment that will further enhance this already incredible 3D tomosynthesis machine.”
If you’d like to take part in the walk or donate, t-shirts are on sale at the Barbados Cancer Society Breast Screening Programme on Henry’s Lane, Collymore Rock on weekdays from 9am to 3pm and Sheraton Mall every Saturday from 9am to 6pm.
Shirts cost $30 (BBD) for adults and $20 (BBD) for children. Ankle socks, tall socks, tote bags, pins, water bottles, and tumblers are also available for purchase.
