More than 400 Walk for the Cure

By Christopher Tobutt

It was amazing to see how many people came to support the CIBC First Caribbean’s Walk For the Cure. Despite the rain that had already lasted several days, but they were all there, more than 400 of them, moms, dads, children, and friends, walking from the Public Beach all the way down to Blue Cilantro Restaurant on West Bay Road and back again, a 5k walk/run for a great cause.

Dan Wright, Managing Director for CIBC First Caribbean said, “This is the ninth year we’ve been doing it in Cayman, and one hundred percent of the proceeds all go to the Cancer Society. Most of the rest of the Caribbean can’t do a real walk this year because of covid restrictions but we were in a great place where we could do one. We have a record number of corporate sponsors and we have raised over 75,000 dollars so far.” That’s not counting the 20 dollars from each of the adults taking part, or 10 dollars from children.

Jennifer Weber, operations manager for the Cayman Islands Cancer Society commented, “All of the proceeds from this event come to the Cancer Society to help with our financial aid programme. The Cancer Society has a need-based financial aid programme, and we are helping more than 400 patients who are impacted by cancer. Since Covid happened we have even more people who need our help because so many people lost their job and insurance so that they have not income, no insurance and cancer. Times are very difficult so we really appreciate all the sponsors and all the walkers taking part today.”

Dr. Kenrick Webster was there. An experienced speed-walker, he explained why he wanted to join in. “It’s a good cause for those persons who have survived cancer, and those who are battling cancer. It is good cause to support them in times like this when they have many challenges and many difficulties,” he said.

Everyone had their reasons for taking part, but at the back of it is just a desire to help the community, especially those who are going through difficult times, and we have all had a taste of that lately. Mr. Tikkomoore a tall young man said, “My mom made me do it, to be honest, but I think it’s a good cause and I want to support it.

Some girls from Key Club were there too. Stephanie, Key Club president said, “We’re doing this as part of our community service, we try to do about three hours per member each month, and also to raise funds for the Cayman Cancer Society as well as raising awareness.”

Corrine Evans Ebanks is one of the West Bay Movers, loves to get involved in community walks and runs. “This is my fifth year attending Walk for the Cure, and this is my ninth 5 K for 2020. I want to support it because it’s a good cause, going to the Cayman Cancer Society,” she said.

H.E the Governor Martyn Roper tries to never miss a community walk or run, and is well-known for training every morning by going running on the beach outside his home. “We should all be really thankful that we can do this walk, because if you look around the world at covid, it is extraordinary that we can do events like this this at the moment. I like to do quite a lot of the 5k runs for me it is a good way of keeping fit. But for me too it is about visibly supporting all the wonderful charity work that goes on.”