TTCS and Republic Bank Team up to burst cancer's bubble

The Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society (TTCS) has revamped its annual “Walk for Life.” The event, now known as “Bubbles for Life”, is set to take place on Saturday June 30, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, where participants can choose to run, walk or dance along the 5K route.

The course will feature five bubble stations. Each station will represent a specific type of cancer and the colour of the bubbles will reflect each: breast cancer: pink, prostate cancer: light blue, colon cancer: dark blue, pancreatic cancer: purple and cervical cancer: white. There will also be a DJ at each station to encourage people to dance and have fun in the bubbles, symbolising the bursting of Cancer’s bubble and the celebration of life.

Speaking at the event, Republic Bank’s Executive Director, Derwin Howell, said “We need to stand united against Cancer, by educating ourselves. It may surprise you to know that in 2017, Trinidad and Tobago was listed as having one of the highest cancer rates in the Caribbean. Our cancer mortality rate is also among the highest in the region. And just a few months ago BBC ranked us as one of the top five countries having high rates of prostate cancer. The importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and getting screened regularly can’t be stressed enough and the change starts with you.”

He added, “For 15 years, our Power to Make a Difference programme has provided the societies in which we operate with four pillars to make conscious changes; the Power to Learn, the Power to Care, the Power to Help, and the Power to Succeed. While our collaboration with the TTCS falls under the “Power to Care” pillar there are also aspects of the other pillars that feature in our work with the TTCS: Learn - Cancer Education is critical; Help – helping to get patients to and from clinics and treatment; and Succeed – working with survivors to succeed in their fight against cancer. But above all else, we will continue to care because cancer doesn’t.”

Also on hand at the event was the Society’s patron, former First Lady, Mrs. Zalayhar Hassanali.

For more information and to register, interested persons can call 665-6712/4425 or email projects@cancer.tt.