Employees of the local branch of CIBC FirstCaribbean will be among staff in 17 countries where the bank operates, participating in the inaugural “CIBC FirstCaribbean walk to support the fight against cancer.”{{more}}

The historic event is building on the 16 years during which its parent company, CIBC, has been at the forefront of supporting research to find a cure for cancer, through its title sponsorship of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s CIBC Run for the Cure. CIBC FirstCaribbean is organizing this year’s event in the Caribbean as an activity for its staff, their friends and family, with plans to partner with organizations supporting those affected by cancer to open the event to the public from 2013, a release from the bank said.

The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Rik Parkhill, and members of the bank’s Senior Executive Team, will join staff around the region on the weekend of September 29-30 for seventeen special walks.

Parkhill noted: “Finding a cure for cancer is a very personal cause for me. I have lost many friends and relatives, young and old, to the disease. My mother is the latest member of my family to wage a battle against cancer. Our participation in the CIBC FirstCaribbean Walk for a Cure is important in terms of increasing awareness of the disease; raising funds for cancer care, treatment and research; showing support for cancer survivors; and remembering those who have passed.

Over 3,000 CIBC FirstCaribbean employees, friends and family in the Caribbean will join more than 13,000 employees, family and friends of Team CIBC in 60 different Run sites across Canada – who will take part in Canada’s CIBC Run for the Cure, uniting employees of the CIBC group of companies in a common cause.

Here in St Vincent, the ‘Run’ will take place on Saturday, September 29 from 6.00 in the morning. The route will be from CIBC FirstCaribbean’s main branch, through Cane Garden, via the Sion Hill main road, back into Kingstown along back street, culminating at CIBC FirstCaribbean.

Employees will give donations to go towards the work of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cancer Association. The funds collected will be matched by CIBC FirstCaribbean’s charitable foundation.