ICWI Pink Run gives Ja Reach to Recovery a $5.4m boost

THE INSURANCE Company of the West Indies (ICWI) recently handed over $5.4 million in net proceeds to Jamaica Reach to Recovery (JRR), an affiliate of the Jamaica Cancer Society.

The funds raised from the ICWI/Jamaica Reach To Recovery Pink Run, held on the last Sunday in October, are earmarked for programmes that provide emotional, psychological and physical support to breastcancer survivors in need of lifesaving tests and treatments.

Breast cancer is the leading cancer among Jamaican women. According to the Jamaica Cancer Society, approximately 300 Jamaican women die annually from breast cancer. Jamaica Reach to Recovery’s mandate to educate the population about methods for early detection and provide support for those persons currently undergoing treatment requires sustained financial support to save lives.

HAPPY WITH GROWTH

Carolind Graham, chairman of JRR, said that the donations from last year’s run benefited approximately 100 breast-cancer patients.

“Last year, JRR was able to assist 100 persons with the $3.2 million we received. This year, with $5.4 million, we expect to be able to assist at least 150 patients,” Graham said.

Paul Lalor, president at ICWI, was happy with the growth of the event.

“The run is now in its 18th year, and we have been title sponsors for JRR for four years. I am grateful for the persons who continue to support the run each year so that we can donate to societies such as JRR. ICWI is happy to be able to raise more funds this year to offset costs associated with breast-cancer treatment,” Lalor said at the handover.

“Five thousand one hundred participants turned out this year to support breast cancer, which is leaps and bounds from the 3,400 in 2017. I envision that one day, the run will have at least 15,000 participants,” he added.