MONTEGO BAY, St James — The organisers of the Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run Walk Wheelchair event set to happen in Montego Bay in October have set themselves an ambitious new target in terms of f
unds raised.

During a launch for the event on Thursday, programme director for the event Nadine Spence told the gathering that the Kiwanis Club of Providence Montego Bay was looking to earn $15 million from the event.

“It’s not unrealistic because we have a big God who wants us to be bold with our request. I remember last year, our president said she wanted to achieve $8 million and we achieved $9 million,” said Spence.

For this year, it was explained that the target is in line with the landmark achievement of celebrating a milestone with the event.

“When we say $15 million, we are actually looking at the fact that we are going 15 years,” club President Althea Allen-Keen told the Jamaica Observer.

“What can we do to make this project more impactful because the more funds we are able to garner, it’s the more we are able to give to this worthy cause in our western Jamaica and the wider environs,” added Allen-Keen.

Since the charity event has been in existence, Spence said that they have been able to make significant contributions because of the generosity of sponsors and participants.

“Our last staging in 2023, we amassed over $9 million from over 2,513 participants and donors. Together we have collectively contributed close to $32 million,” Spence said.

Some of the money raised has been used to support the work of the Jamaica Cancer Society, the Oncology Unit and the Cornwall Regional Hospital and individuals suffering from the dreaded disease.

“We have touched many lives and are still trying to reach women, children and even men who are in dire need of medical help to restore them to good health or to help them on their journey to recovery,” Spence said.

The work of the group has not gone unnoticed and earlier this year, their colleagues at Kiwanis International recognised the effort of the all-female club.

“We have been recognised internationally by Kiwanis International as well as Kiwanis Eastern Canada and the Caribbean as a gold standard project,” said Spence.

“We are asking for $15 million and we believe today that we are going to achieve that $15 million. Together we can as we celebrate women working for other women and men who are battling this dreaded disease,” Spence said.

“Fifteen million dollars, 15,000 participants, and 15 more years of saving lives,” added Spence.