The Sigma Unit Trust Corporate Run, which over the past six years has raised $6 million for worthy causes, has this year set a target of $2 million that it plans to donate to the Blood Bank.

“The Blood Bank stood out as one of the chief organisations that saves lives and is in dire need of assistance,” Anya Schnoor, senior vice-president and COO of Pan Caribbean, said.

“With the recent experiences during Hurricane Ivan, it reinforced in our minds at Pan Caribbean that this would be the perfect organisation to benefit from the 2005 Pan Caribbean Sigma Run.”

The event, organised by Pan Caribbean, is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, and will use the same route as last year through New Kingston.

All the proceeds from the run will go towards the purchase of much-needed equipment, including a Blood Bank refrigerator, an ultra-low freezer and a chart recorder, which is expected to cost over $1.5 million.

Pan Caribbean, in a news release, has invited corporate partners to contribute cash and kind, and send teams of employees to participate in the 5K run, walk and wheelchair competition.

“Pan Caribbean will then match the total funds raised, and in association with the Jamdammers Running Club of Kingston, provide logistical and race management support for the charity event,” Pan Caribbean said. “Training Camp, Tankweld, Courts, Wray and Nephew and GraceKennedy have already made their pledges to this year’s run.”

In the past, the Bustamante Children’s Hospital, Leukaemia CARE and the Mustard Seed Communities have benefited from the run.

Pan Caribbean said that last year nearly 2,000 persons participated in the event, making it the largest road race in Jamaica.

Registration is now under way and will close on March 31.