FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2025

NASSAU, The Bahamas — Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd. (BPL) has reaffirmed its commitment to community health with a $1,000 donation to the Us Too Men’s Cancer Support Group (Us Too). This donation is part of the company’s September Social Corporate Responsibility (SCR) initiative, which focuses on Prostate Cancer Awareness.

This initiative builds on BPL’s ongoing investment in staff health and wellness. “With more than 70% of BPL’s workforce made up of men, this issue is close to home for us. Our men shoulder great responsibility — not only in their families but also in the demanding and sometimes risky work they do at BPL,” said Anthony Christie, Chief Operations Officer.

Accepting the cheque on behalf of Us Too, Valentine Maura expressed appreciation, saying, “Donations like these help to build awareness around prostate cancer. We have been doing these cancer screenings for about thirty years now, and with help from our corporate sponsors, the number of men being screened continues to grow.”

BPL recently established a Wellness Centre and appointed a full-time nurse to lead internal health initiatives. Zanda Bonamy, Director of Health, Safety and Environment, noted, “Through this new centre, we were able to partner with OakTree Medical Center to provide free PSA screenings for our insured male employees.”

COO Christie, whose father suffered from prostate cancer, encouraged BPL staff and all Bahamian men to take advantage of newer, less invasive testing methods. “Newer tests are less invasive; they use a blood test now to determine if you are impacted or will be affected. Do your research because the prostate will enlarge naturally, but early detection helps prevent it from becoming a cancerous situation.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death among men globally, with an estimated 5.4 million men dying from cancer in 2022. Locally, the Cancer Society of The Bahamas reports that, on average, two Bahamian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every week — making it the most common cancer among Bahamian men.

Lifestyle factors can also play a role. Research suggests that diets high in fat and red meat, both common in the Bahamian diet, may increase the risk of developing the disease. Advocacy groups like Us Too work to raise awareness, dispel myths, and encourage early screening, which is critical for detection and treatment.

Through these combined efforts, BPL continues to demonstrate that its responsibility extends beyond powering communities — it’s about powering lives across The Bahamas.