Unifying our community through a cause — championing for cancer awareness — is the intention of Saturday’s “Walk in Faith” hosted by Cancer Support V.I., which also gives participants the chance to reflect, honor and celebrate those impacted by the disease. The walk was rescheduled from late last month due to weather.
Saturday’s walk begins and ends at the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Center on St. Thomas. The warm-up kicks off at 6 a.m., followed by the walk at 6:30 a.m. Participants are asked to wear pink for the event.
“We are believing, by faith and prayer, that a change will come in the form of a re-opened cancer center in the Virgin Islands. The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute has been closed for six years and local cancer patients continue to struggle to obtain consistent cancer care on island,” said Barb Michaud, director of of Cancer Support V.I.
Through its campaigns, CSVI has already supported 271 patients this year, distributing $643,145 in financial support, which all goes directly to patient care. The organization has already topped the $569,803 it raised in 2022 but has three months of fundraising left to go. Saturday’s walk is among the events in CSVI’s “Pinktober” calendar, which also recognizes the effect that breast cancer has on women.
“Pinktober 2023 is the 10th anniversary of Cancer Support V.I.,” Michaud said. “In the last 10 years, Cancer Support V.I. has collaborated with St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix communities to accomplish raising over $985,000 for those in the USVI impacted by cancer,” Michaud explained. “Each year leading up to 2023, CSVI has collaborated with schools, local businesses, churches, government entities, and alike to support awareness and raise funds for those in the USVI impacted by cancer.”
Through the organization, an insured patient currently receives a $2,500 grant, MAP patients a $4,000 grant, and an uninsured patient a $5,000 grant.
“We cannot continue this work without the support of our community,” Michaud said, adding that each donation is matched, dollar for dollar, for double the impact.
The groundbreaking of the Kimelman Cancer Center is scheduled afterward at 9 a.m.
