Grand Cayman, 11 March 2022 – The Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson has set a fundraising target of $70,000 for this year’s DG’s 5K Challenge. Efforts are already underway to reach this ambitious goal, thanks to platinum sponsor Appleby, who have pledged a $15,000 donation.

The Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS) explains that funds raised will support their HPV-cancer preventing vaccination programme for public school students. According to the CICS, although the vaccine has been available to schoolgirls since 2012, this funding will make cancer-preventing vaccines accessible and free to Year 7 public school students and will reduce the incidences of many head and neck cancers, cervical cancers, genital and anal cancers in both men and women for future generations. Funds will also support ongoing public education as the CICS continue to strive to screen, prevent and improve survivorship of cancer patients.

The MS Foundation of the Cayman Islands adds that their portion of the funds raised will be used to provide financial and emotional support to MS patients and their families. As there is no cure for the life-long disease, the Foundation aims to alleviate the long-term financial burden on patients brought by medication, doctors’ appointments, MRIs and other associated costs. The organisation is working to provide education to the community, while simultaneously creating a support network for the ‘MS warriors’, to ensure they are well-served medically and emotionally while living with the disease.

The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association of the Cayman Islands (ADACI) says that they are extremely honoured to be one of this year’s beneficiaries. Funds raised by the Challenge will be used primarily to launch the “Dementia Friends” programme, which is a far-reaching initiative that will include pre-schoolers. The respite care programme will also receive funds; together, these ADACI programmes will benefit the Cayman Islands through the provision of care and support, the elimination of verbal and physical abuse, and the dispelling of stigma around the disease.

“We are pleased to have Appleby continue to partner with us as our platinum sponsor, and of course we could not pull off our ambitious event without the help of all of our sponsors,” said Deputy Governor, Hon Franz Manderson.

Dart has joined Butterfield, the Cayman Islands Civil Service Association Cooperative Credit Union, Davenport Development and Ernst & Young (EY) as gold sponsors again this year, with CINICO committing to sponsoring the half-way stop. At this time, sponsorship commitments have also been secured from PWC and Maples as water stop sponsors. Walkers, Stepping Stones, Dentons, Chris Johnson Associates, Affinity Recruitment, Genesis, Cayman National Bank, KPMG, Circumference Financial Services, London and Amsterdam and Health City Cayman Islands (HCCI) have also pledged sponsorship at the silver level. Foster’s, Bedell Christen and Ritch & Conolly have pledged as kilometre marker sponsors.

In 2019, the event raised $82,000 for the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, Alex Panton Foundation and Special Needs Foundation of Cayman (now known as Inclusion Cayman). In 2018, $89,000 was split among Feed Our Future, Meals on Wheels, the Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman, Kirkconnell Community Care Centre and Little Cayman Primary School. In 2017, $85,000 was raised to build a ropes challenge course for the YMCA of the Cayman Islands. Prior to that, in 2016, the event netted $60,000 to help the Cayman Heart Fund buy an ambulance, which was gifted to the Health Services Authority (HSA). In 2015, Special Olympics Cayman Islands was awarded $50,000 to help athletes attend the Special Olympic Games in Los Angeles the following summer. In 2014, the inaugural DG’s 5K Challenge raised $12,500 for Cayman Hospice Care (now known as Jasmine) towards its new premises on West Bay Road. 

“It is amazing to look back and see how far reaching the DG’s 5K event has been across our islands – we truly could not do it without the continued support of the community and our sponsors,” said the Deputy Governor.

Companies interested in sponsoring the DG’s 5K Challenge, or anyone interested in donating, can contact Fundraising Subcommittee Chairwoman Charmane Dalhouse-Morgan at [email protected].­

Stay tuned for continuing updates on the DG’s 5K.