Sunshine Insurance launched the eight annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the ninth annual Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend yesterday with beneficiaries receiving donations.

During yesterday’s launch, Sunshine Insurance President Paul McWeeney said the international support of the race has contributed handsomely to the tourism, translating into almost 2,000 room nights and tourist expenditure totaling almost $3 million for the weekend.

The Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend partners with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and registration opened yesterday.

Registration will continue until January 2018. Both racing events commence January 13, 2018.

Attracting various countries from around the globe, Marathon Bahamas participants amount to 3,000 with over 500 international visitors taking part in Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend.

Mr. McWeeney said, “These races have brought together over 3,000 participants with over 5,000 international visitors taking part.

“In addition to the United States, other countries represented included the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Philippines, Spain, Australia, Austria, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Sweden, South Africa and New Zealand.”

Sponsors play a vital role of the production of Marathon Bahamas and although Sunshine Insurance organizes the event, Mr. McWeeney expressed his gratitude toward the Ministry of Tourism’s involvement and the relationship in tandem with Sunshine Insurance, inclusive of the importance such visibility of Marathon Bahamas has brought.

Mr. McWeeney said, “Sponsorship with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism affords us the opportunity to have a presence and be recognize at other marathons and sports expos around the world and solicit support for this event.

“Additionally with such visibility, Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend was named by Runner’s World UK, one of the top 50 marathons worldwide outside of the UK.”

Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas is committed to supporting the efforts in the community with respect to cancer awareness education, and doing what can be done to support cancer treatment programs.

To this end, there are several local organizations which are supported by Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend. Such beneficiaries are The Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Sister Sister Bahamas Support Group and Cancer Support Groups of Grand Bahama.

Speaking on behalf of Sister Sister Bahamas Support Group, President Andrea Sweeting explained the benefits the organization has acquired since becoming a recipient of Marathon Bahamas eight years ago.

She said, “Sister Sister has been the recipient for the past eight years and it has done a tremendous thing for us because we give the Port-a Cath. The port is the instrument that is surgically implanted for the chemotherapy to be administered, the first step in helping women fight breast cancer. This is what we do with our funds. To date, we’ve already gifted 121 ports.”

Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation and Imaging Services Chief Hospital Administrator Mary Lightbourne-Walker added her sentiments on such improvements the hospital has been able to make since becoming a recipient of Marathon Bahamas.

She said, “The nation as a whole has benefitted from the imaging services that have been improved by the funds from these events and also reading stations for the radiologists as they read those images to render service to the persons in this country who dearly need it. Those challenged with breast cancer and other imaging services that can help with the diagnosis.”

Also expressing her feelings was The Cancer Society of The Bahamas Director of the Executive Board Dianne Bingham.

Ms. Bingham said, “The funds that we receive on an annual basis from donors such as Sunshine Holding, goes towards our continuing to be able to provide this service free of charge.”

Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend, along with Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, celebrates cancer survivorship, remember those who have lost their battle to this disease and mostly raise awareness about the debilitating health issue that affects thousands of women and men throughout The Bahamas.