Press Releases
Giving Hope to Children with Cancer
Port-of-Spain, February 10, 2011. The RBC/RBTT Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund
continues to give hope to children with cancer, with approximately US$113,000 being
disbursed to medical institutions for treatment as at December 31, 2010.
With financial assistance from the Fund, 16 biopsy specimen tests have been performed
and eight children, ranging from ages two to sixteen, have received cancer treatment.
Childhood cancers occur frequently and randomly across the Caribbean. The patients
treated to date are from Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, the Bahamas, Jamaica and
Dominica. The most recent applicant for funding is a 10-year-old girl from the Bahamas who
is now undergoing treatment for Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma—a cancerous tumour
of the muscles.
While the chance of recovery from common childhood cancers is good, provided that there is
early detection, the cure rate stands at approximately 75%. Suresh Sookoo, CEO,
Caribbean Banking, RBC says, “Prompt and specific treatment is critical for children to
beat this disease. Families often struggle with the emotional and financial burden of
paediatric cancer. The greater the contributions to the Fund, the more children we can
rescue from this dreadful affliction.”
Heightened awareness of the Fund has sparked an increase in the number of
applications received. Last year, RBC/RBTT employees and members of the public
across the region united in support of childhood cancer patients, raising US $216,752.
Among the fund-raisers was an art exhibition organised by the Legal Department of RBTT,
which featured the works of employees and other supporters of the Cancer Fund.
In May, RBC/RBTT will present a cheque valued at US$200,000 to the Cancer
Treatment Foundation in Trinidad and Tobago, the administrators of the RBC/RBTT
Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund. This sum represents the third tranche of corporate
funding which RBC/RBTT has committed to the Fund.
Parents or guardians of young persons 16 years and under, who are diagnosed with
cancer and reside in the countries where RBC/RBTT operates, are encouraged to
apply for assistance through any branch of the bank.
Please visit the website at www.givehopesavelives.rbtt.com for more information
Keenon Roper, Marketing Manager of Cold Stone Creamery, presents a cheque for
$TT12,430 to Anna-Maria Kurbanali, Regional Manager, Corporate Responsibility, RBTT
Financial Group. The cheque represents funds raised from a Cold Stone Creamery
promotion in support of the RBC/RBTT Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund.
Suresh Sookoo, CEO, Caribbean Banking, RBC, views some of the artwork on display during
the art exhibition and sale hosted by RBTT Legal Department, in aid of the RBC/RBTT
Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund. Looking on is Nicole Richards, General Counsel &
Corporate Secretary, RBTT Financial Group.
The RBC/RBTT Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund: One Year Later
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RBC/RBTT in Historic Initiative for Children’s Cancer
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RBTT contributes TT$6 million to children’s cancer
Click here to download press release
RBC commemorates 100 years in Caribbean with major contributions to children’s
cancer
treatment and clean water
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RBTT Employees contribute to Children's Cancer Fund
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RBC/RBTT Caribbean Children's Cancer Fund helps first patient
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Youngsters benefit from the RBC/RBTT Caribbean Children's Cancer Fund
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