Cancer Society Leads Educational Seminars at CIBC FirstCaribbean

Nassau, Bahamas, October 31, 2016 – Employees of the CIBC FirstCaribbean are now better schooled about the disease of cancer, its prevention, and treatment.  As a part of their activities to mark cancer month this October, CIBC FirstCaribbean invited the Cancer Society of the Bahamas to present educational seminars on aspects of the disease to staff.  The sessions took place at the bank’s Shirley Street headquarters and the new CIBC FirstCaribbean Airport Industrial Park Centre.

The events were part of a series of cancer awareness and response related activities throughout the month, including the bank’s celebrated annual ‘Walk for the Cure’ fun run/walk.  Antionette Turnquest, Head of Human Resources at CIBC FirstCaribbean, stated that the activities were one aspect of the bank’s larger culture of employee wellness.

“We have quite a number of wellness initiatives at the bank,” said Mrs. Turnquest.  “Over the last year we have had many onsite fitness sessions at the various branches – aerobics and strength training; we have also had persons come in and talk to staff about proper nutrition and maintaining health habits and we have partnerships with local gyms.  This is something that we do regularly because we want them to convert this into healthy lifestyles.”

Mrs. Turnquest stated that keeping employees happy and healthy is a priority and she hopes that the Cancer seminars will make an impact.  “We hope that persons use the information they are getting from these sessions and we hope that as much as possible we can help to prevent this disease from occurring in our staff.  It’s so important that persons understand this disease.  Studies show that genetically Bahamians are more prone to the disease.  So, it’s important that persons get as much information as they can.”

The two presentations walked staff through the basics of the disease, how to get screened, and how to lower your risk. Attending employees learnt the most prevalent cancers in the Bahamas – breast cancer and prostate cancer – as well as the role and function of the Cancer Society.  Melissa Major, Programs Director at the Cancer Society said she is happy to see corporations take an interest.

“We truly appreciate when companies make it a priority that their staff gets this education and we hope that other companies follow CIBC FirstCaribbean’s lead.  This is a part of empowering people so that they know what the disease is, they know what to do, and how to lower their risk.  Early detection is key and once they get that then we will be well on our way in terms of lowering our statistics.”