Prostate cancer walk aims to double turnout in ‘sea of blue’

With organisers targeting a crowd of up to 1 800 participants, this year’s CEMIX Barbados Cancer Society Prostate Cancer Walk and Run is being positioned as a major national push to boost early detection and save lives among Barbadian men.

Joined by their corporate partners, the organisers are calling for a massive “sea of blue” to flood the streets of the south coast on Sunday, June 28, as the walk and run returns for its fourth year.

With a bold goal to double last year’s attendance, Walk Manager Michelle Straughn emphasised that the event is more than just a physical challenge – it is a life-saving intervention for Barbadian men.

“We are here another year, and we are excited,” Straughn told reporters during the official launch. “Last year we had about 800 to 900 persons. This year, we want to double that. This has to grow because the cause is too important. Men make up 50 per cent of the population in Barbados; we cannot do without them.”

The event, which begins at 4 p.m. at the Garrison Savannah (in front of the Main Guard clock tower), serves as the primary awareness vehicle for a disease that disproportionately affects men in the region.

Straughn, who has been instrumental in planning since the walk’s inception, noted that the route remains unchanged because of its popularity. Both runners and walkers will traverse a course that includes Paddock Road, Culloden Road, and Bay Street, eventually returning to the Garrison.

“It’s a nice easy run and walk,” Straughn said. “People love the route; they think it’s adequate. We’ll stick with it until it doesn’t work — and when it doesn’t work, it will be because we have 25 000 people on the road.”

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Barbados Cancer Society, CEMIX, the District Grand Lodge of Barbados (Scottish Constitution), and Gildan.

Kevin Seale, a commissioned officer of the District Grand Lodge, noted that the Lodge originally approached the Cancer Society to create an event specifically for men.

“As an organisation with hundreds of men ranging in age from 20s to centenarians, it is expected that all our members will either be personally impacted or have close friends with prostate cancer,” Seale said. “I am in that category as well. I am very determined to continue to support this effort on a very personal level.”

Steven Blackett, human resources advisor at Gildan, echoed the sentiment of corporate responsibility, noting that the success of breast cancer awareness should serve as a blueprint.

“Behind every successful man is a strong woman,” Blackett said. “I want to thank the ladies for leading the way with breast cancer; they are leading the path for men right now to make this walk. Ladies are welcome too, and let’s make this year more impactful.”

The message from the panel was unanimous: early detection is the only way to change the statistics. Philip Tempro, Group CEO of CEMIX, challenged other businesses to join the movement.

“I urge corporate Barbados to jump on board. Stick your logo on a shirt, pay the extra $5 for your people, and come run and walk with us,” Tempro said. He also offered a public challenge to support screening processes directly within workplaces. “If anyone wants to do a screening process, we are happy to jump on board with them. We will put capital behind it.”

Ahead of the June 28 event, Straughn announced that the blue shirts will be available from next week.

 

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