Blog

On Wednesday, October 29, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) hosted the Nadene Gilbert-Rambarran Cancer Awareness Fundraiser and Mixer to raise funds to support the renovation of the Cancer Institute of Guyana’s laundry facilities, as well as free screening for members through the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association.

The event saw scores of members and supporters of the Chamber converging at Palm Court to support this worthy cause. Last year, the activity raised $1 million, which was donated towards the renovation of the Institute’s CT scanner room.

In brief remarks at the event, President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy S. Smith stated that the fundraiser has become a permanent fixture on the Chamber’s annual calendar of activities because of its meaningful impact. “Last year, when we presented the cheque to the Cancer Institute, I was able to tour the facility, and ingrained in my memory are the people we met. During that walkthrough, we were able to interact with fighters—persons who were battling cancer. What stood out was their demeanor—friendly, welcoming, and pleasant despite their circumstances—their resilience. We were able to witness firsthand how meaningful our contributions would be to the lives of our brothers and sisters,” she stated.

The president reflected on the late Councillor of the GCCI, Mrs. Nadene Gilbert-Rambarran, a dedicated and passionate supporter of the Chamber’s work, whom the event was named after. She also reflected on former GCCI Councillor and Secretary, Mrs. Allison Butters-Grant, and staff member Ms. Bryony Shewraj, who lost their battle with cancer.

“This year, we have added the component of free screening for members. Your health matters to us, and we want to ensure that our people have access to the resources needed to screen for cancer. Beyond business, the GCCI is committed to improving the lives of our people, and Corporate Social Responsibility is important in this pursuit. We must be able to give back and serve our communities. The wellbeing of our people is a priority,” she emphasised.

The event featured an art display and sale by FineArt.GY, and it was executed through the generous support of Palm Court, Lodestar, Western Logistics, Offshore Innovators, Shaws Media, Unicomer , Professional Guard Services, and Electric (Guyana) Inc.