The 14th annual CIBC Caribbean Walk for the Cure was officially launched last week at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in St Andrew under the theme, ‘Commitment – Community – Courage’, as survivors, caregivers, and sponsors came together to highlight the growing crisis in cancer detection and care in Jamaica.
Annique Dawkins, head of country, CIBC Caribbean, reminded attendees that the walk, scheduled for October 12 at Hope Gardens in St Andrew, is a symbol of collective strength against all cancers, represented by the colour lavender.
“Walk for the Cure is not just about one type of cancer; it is about every family touched by this disease. Lavender represents the fight against all cancers, and every year, we walk in solidarity with survivors, caregivers, and those we have lost. This initiative is more than a tradition; it is our commitment to ensuring that Jamaicans have access to the tools, testing, and treatment that can save lives,” she said.
However, the need is urgent, and resources are strained, explained Roshane Reid Koomson, executive director of the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS), lamenting the heavy burden placed on the organisation as demand for services grows while equipment ages.
“Every day, we are faced with the reality that too many Jamaicans cannot get timely access to screening. The few diagnostic machines we have are overworked, and many are outdated. Cancer does not wait, but too often, our people are left waiting. That delay can mean the difference between life and death,” she added.
Koomson stressed that this is precisely why Walk for the Cure is not just a fundraiser, but a lifeline. She noted that when people walk, sponsor or register they are helping to bridge the gap and “helping us keep the doors open to early detection and better outcomes. Without this support, too many families will face cancer without the chance of catching it early. And we cannot allow that to continue”.
Cervical cancer survivor Marcia Campbell spoke about her journey and the critical role early testing played in saving her life.
IMPORTANCE OF EARLY TESTING
“My fight with cervical cancer showed me firsthand the importance of early testing and treatment. Early detection is the only reason I am standing here today, and it is the only chance many of us will have,” she said.
Her daughter and caregiver, Talicia Higgins, delivered one of the most emotional moments of the launch, breaking her silence despite the difficulty of speaking publicly. She not only shared her challenges caring for both parents, but also revealed that her father’s prostate cancer has sadly returned.
“As a caregiver for both my mother and my father, cancer has changed every part of my life. It was not easy to come here today and speak, because the weight of watching two parents fight this disease is overwhelming. We have just learned that my father’s prostate cancer has come back, and that reality is very hard to bear,” she said.
She added that she knows that “sharing our story can help others understand why early testing and access to care must be a priority. Families like mine are living this reality every day, and we cannot afford to stay quiet anymore. That is why I want to say directly to men across Jamaica, please, do not delay. Get your prostate checked early. It could save your life, and it could spare your family the pain of this fight”.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Jamaican men and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. According to the Jamaica Cancer Society, thousands of men are diagnosed each year, but too many are still diagnosed late, when the disease is more difficult to treat.
Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, managing director of Running Events Jamaica, urged the community to participate in this year’s walk noting that “signing up is more than joining a walk; it’s joining a cause that helps the Jamaica Cancer Society equip itself to serve Jamaicans better. The urgency of this call for new machines makes our walk this year even more meaningful”.
Speaking on behalf of all sponsors, Jeneque Pinnock, group marketing manager at Stewart’s Automotive Group, emphasised both the personal and national importance of the initiative.
“Cancer is not an abstract issue; it’s close to every home, including mine. Stories like Marcia’s and Talicia’s bring into sharp focus why timely testing must be accessible to all. That’s why the sponsors are proud to stand behind Walk for the Cure as one. This is not just an event; it is a movement, one that gives hope, raises resources, and strengthens the national response to cancer,” Pinnock noted.
In her closing remarks, Jerome Griffiths, head of human resources at CIBC Caribbean, said this year’s Walk for the Cure was about urgency and “helping the Cancer Society secure the resources that will make a difference for families like Marcia’s, and for countless others across Jamaica”.
Registration for Walk for the Cure 2025 is now open at runningeventsja.com, with proceeds directly supporting the Jamaica Cancer Society’s push for expanded diagnostic access and critical equipment.
As the launch drew to a close, Talicia’s brave words and Roshane’s heartfelt lament underscored a truth we cannot ignore; every step taken at Walk for the Cure brings Jamaica closer to saving more lives.