Insurance company BF&M Ltd wore its heart on its sleeve yesterday, and it was not alone.

Hundreds of people joined the BF&M 20th Anniversary Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, helping to spread the word and boost the fundraising effort that during the past 20 years has raised millions of dollars in support of Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

BF&M has offices in Pitts Bay Road, and sells life, property and casualty insurance products. It has an interest in developments in the field of cancer care, from a business standpoint, but also on a personal level.

Explaining its affinity with the breast cancer awareness cause, John Wight, chief executive officer, said: “Everyone at BF&M has been affected by a loved one — a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, or friend — who has had breast cancer.

“And I would venture to say that everyone in Bermuda would say the same thing. To be able to rally with the Bermuda community to help raise funds to assist in the education, prevention, detection, and treatment of breast cancer gives special meaning to all of us at BF&M.

“As the leading healthcare provider in Bermuda, we are committed to playing our part in promoting wellness in the community and encouraging people to take control of their health. These ideals are at the heart of BF&M’s LiveWell philosophy.”

In 1997, the company chose to be the sole sponsor of the awareness walk. Mr Wight said that decision was in recognition of the BCHC “making a very real impact on the lives of so many island residents”.

As a healthcare provider, the company is aware of the costs of treating cancer of all kinds rise every year, whether the treatment is done locally or overseas.

“Breast cancer is the one type of cancer that, as a corporate citizen, BF&M has taken a particular interest in, because it has hit so many of our BF&M families and friends in the community in a very emotional way over the past 20-plus years,” said Mr Wight.

In the past ten years, 600 cases of breast cancer have been diagnosed in Bermuda.

“Early screening, detection and treatment are the keys to fighting this disease and that’s what we’re working towards,” said Mr Wight.

With that in mind, this year’s walk raised funds towards an Equal Access Fund, designed to make diagnostic imaging available to Bermudian families who do not have health insurance.

In addition, funds will go to BCHC’s Radiation Therapy initiative, which will allow residents to receive treatment on the island for the very first time.

Mr Wight said: “Through the efforts of the tremendous support of the Bermudian community, women without health insurance are now able to get treatment, and women who previously would have had to go overseas for prolonged periods of time for treatment, will soon be able to have that same treatment in Bermuda with their loved ones at their side.”

Tara Curtis, executive director of the BCHC, praised the company for its support during the past two decades. She said both organisations had a similar mission when it comes to breast cancer awareness and prevention.

She said: “We both know that through early detection the survival rate for women with breast cancer significantly increases.

“When breast cancer is caught early there is a 98 per cent chance for survival. We also know that if caught early treatments are easier for patients to tolerate and often not as costly.

“That’s where BF&M’s involvement comes in. From a health insurance point of view, their job is to provide quality healthcare at an affordable cost to Bermudians — and education and prevention play a key role in that.”

She said that through BF&M’s fundraising efforts, the BCHC has been able to bring “the best medical equipment possible” to the island.

BF&M is the official healthcare provider for the America’s Cup, and yesterday’s breast cancer awareness walk was supported by Oracle Team USA.

Mr Wight said: “The America’s Cup team members have been so gracious in their engagement with the community here in Bermuda — we are delighted that Oracle Team USA have chosen to support this very valid cause and to walk with us.”