Bank Sohar Employees March Against Cancer at OCA Walkathon

In its advocacy for the early detection of breast cancer and furthering its long-standing support for Oman Cancer Association (OCA), Bank Sohar staff participated in OCA’s annual Walkathon on 30^th October 2018 at Qurum Natural Park. The bank’s participation came following its collaboration with OCA to raise awareness on the disease throughout the month of October at select branches, including internal activities for staff, as well as free screening for the general public.

Accompanied by members of the bank’s senior leadership, Bank Sohar employees joined thousands from local communities and other organisations in support of Oman’s growing need for awareness on breast cancer. The 3km walkathon began at 4pm meandering throughout the pleasant scenery in Qurm Natural Park with thousands of participants having crossed the finish line by 6:30pm.  Through its participation, the bank aimed to help OCA raise the number of cases identified through pre-emptive screening and increased awareness, as well as the number of lives saved as a result of early detection. 

Commenting on the bank’s support for the cause and OCA’s annual walkathon, Mr Khalil Salim Al Hedaifi, Chief Retail Banking Officer at Bank Sohar, said, “As a community-focused organisation we came together in the march against cancer at OCA’s annual walkathon this year. It was truly a highlight amongst the many activities undertaken throughout the year in our unwavering commitment to empower local people through carefully crafted CSR contributions. As a workforce we are unified through mutual values and thus pleased to see our staff’s voluntary participation at the event following our activities with OCA during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, representing one of many contributions Bank Sohar has made against this particular health issue in 2018”.

Bank Sohar’s support for Oman Cancer Association dates back over 10 years with ongoing assistance in a variety of campaigns and outreach programmes, including advocacy in cancer awareness and voluntary screening initiatives. In the build-up to the walkathon, Bank Sohar hosted OCA volunteers who informed customers about the disease and promoted the annual event at its branches in Al Khoudh and Al Qurm earlier this month. The Al Qurm branch also hosted OCA’s Mobile Mammography Unit, a cancer-screening device, with OCA personnel encouraging females over 40 to check for any indications of cancer. The bank further organized an employee engagement session in recognition of the need for increased awareness as prerequisite to a rise in pre-emptive screening and early detection. 

Oman Cancer Association serves local communities through landmark projects, fundraising, and generating greater awareness on the various types of cancer. The organisation supports community screening for breast cancer through a mobile mammography unit that travels across Oman, as well as providing a home for children residing far from an oncology centre at no cost to their respective family.