Calling him “a man who truly made a difference in the life of a nation,” Commonwealth Bank executives honoured late Bank Chairman T.B. Donaldson, C.B.E., with a donation of $10,000 to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas. Mr. Donaldson passed away in February after a courageous battle with cancer. He had served as Commonwealth Bank Chairman for 12 years from 1998 to 2010, helping to grow the bank into a billion-dollar plus financial institution while maintaining numerous civic roles, including chairmanship of The College of The Bahamas.
“We are so grateful to Commonwealth Bank for such a generous contribution,” said Lovern Wildgoose, President of the Cancer Society. “The Cancer Society is a non-profit organisation so we are grateful for any funds donated, but this was a great boost for us.”
The majority of contributions, Ms. Wildgoose said, aids operation of the Cancer Caring Centre, a live-in facility for cancer patients from the Family Islands. With 10 beds, the Centre is almost always fully occupied. There is no charge connected with the stay. Without the residential facility with kitchen, living area and private rooms, counseling and exercise programs, and nursing care, many from the Family Islands would not be able to come to Nassau or stay in the capital for extended treatment, she said. The Cancer Society now hopes to double the capacity.
According to bank officials, making the donation in Mr. Donaldson’s memory was yet another way to honour the man that two prime ministers described as “a financial powerhouse” and “the elder states in financial services.”
“Mr. Donaldson had such dignity and he never failed to share his wisdom to benefit others. He combined determination and drive with a personal touch, always remembering that it was the individuals who made an institution what it is,” said Ian Jennings, President. “Now in death, as in life, he is continuing to make a difference in the life of a nation. As was said in a tribute to him, ‘There are, from time to time, those persons who make such a difference that what they leave behind differs from what they found. T.B. Donaldson was such a man. ”
Mavis Burrows, Senior Vice President of Operations, presented the cheque on behalf of the bank with more than 6,000 shareholders, 550 staff and branches in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco.
Diane Phillips and Associates
HELPING AND HONOURING — Commonwealth Bank Vice President of Operations, Mavis Burrows, right, presents cheque for $10,000 to Lovern Wildgoose, President of Cancer Society of The Bahamas. The donation was in honour of immediate past chairman of the bank, T.B. Donaldson, C.B.E., who passed away earlier this year after a courageous battle with cancer.
