Sponsors with bank staff, representatives of the BVI Cancer Society, Public Health and NHI at the CIBC Caribbean Walk for the Cure 2024 Cheque presentation to BVI Cancer Society and National Epidemiologist in the Main Retail Banking Hall, Road Town, Tortola on March 27, 2025. Photo: CIBC Caribbean

Mr Fabian S. Devonish, Walk Manager and Country Head, CIBC Caribbean presents Ms. Gloria A. Fahie, President of the BVI Cancer Society with a cheque for $57,000 raised from the 2024 CIBC Caribbean Walk for the Cure Campaign. Photo: CIBC Caribbean

Mr Fabian S. Devonish, Walk Manager and Country Head, CIBC Caribbean presents Ms Harmony Brewley-Massiah, National Epidemiologist with a cheque for $10,000 raised from the 2024 CIBC Caribbean Walk for the Cure Campaign to support cancer research and analysis. Photo: CIBC Caribbean

A press release from CIBC Caribbean on April 2, 2025, detailed the special cheque presentation ceremony held at the CIBC Caribbean Retail Banking Hall, where contributions of $57,000 and $10,000 were presented to the BVI Cancer Society and National Epidemiologist, respectively, to advance cancer research and analysis in the Virgin Islands.

Community support is essential- Ms Fahie

President of the Cancer Society Ms Gloria A. Fahie said the funds are vital in assisting cancer patients and their families, as well as in raising awareness about early detection and prevention 

“The continued support from the community is essential in combating cancer in the BVI. We are truly grateful to CIBC Caribbean in championing the cause and we thank you, the sponsors and all participants for making this donation possible. We encourage you to keep walking with us,” she said. 

The funds donated toward data collection will ensure more comprehensive tracking and research into cancer trends within the VI. 

“Without reliable data, we are fighting in the dark…One of the most powerful tools we have in this fight is a well-established cancer registry and dedicated research efforts. By systematically collecting and analysing cancer data we can analyse trends, improve early detection and develop targeted prevention strategies,” Ms Brewley-Massiah said. 

The cancer registry and the associated research initiatives, a collaborative effort between National Health Insurance and the Cancer Society, commenced this year. 

‘We’ve come a long way from the initial $1250’- CIBC Country Manager

CIBC Caribbean Country Head and Walk Manager, Mr Fabian S. Devonish said the annual walk has become a cornerstone of the bank’s corporate social responsibility efforts. 

He said this reinforces the financial institution’s commitment to fighting cancer and supporting those affected by it. 

“We’ve come a long way from the initial $1250 we raised with the first Walk for the Cure effort in 2012 to the $67,000 raised 12 years later…This is the power of community, and we look forward to pushing towards achieving the $75,000 target together in 2025,” Mr Devonish said. 

Plans are already underway for the 2025 CIBC Caribbean Walk for the Cure campaign.