On Sunday, August 30th, solidarity once again took over the streets of Panama with the celebration of the XXVII Susie Thayer Family Walk, organized by Fundacáncer to raise funds for equipment for the National Oncology Institute (ION). This year’s funds will go toward the ION’s Intensive Care Unit, funding the purchase of high-tech mechanical ventilation equipment that will allow for safer, more efficient care for patients requiring ventilatory support.
Under the theme “And you, who do you walk for?”, the event took place simultaneously at eight locations across the country: the Cinta Costera in Panama City, La Chorrera, Colón, Penonomé, David, Tolé, Chitré, and Santiago, bringing together thousands of people — survivors, patients, family members, friends, volunteers, and companies — around a shared cause.
As Patricia Méndez Chiari, Executive Director of Fundacáncer, put it: “Every year we see how this walk mobilizes an entire country around a common cause. Thanks to the support of participants, sponsors, and volunteers, we’ve been able to drive forward important projects that benefit cancer patients. This new edition is an opportunity to keep turning solidarity into access to better tools for the care and recovery of those who need it most.”
A New Way to Take Part
OMC Group has taken part in the Susie Thayer Family Walk in previous years, but this 2026 edition marked a new step: for the first time, we joined as sponsors of the event.
The day brought pleasant weather and, as always, the great mood and contagious energy of the participants, survivors, and those currently facing this disease stood out. The walk is much more than a physical route: it’s a space to walk alongside patients, to remind them they are not alone, and to honor the memory of those who are no longer with us.
A Team United Around a Shared Cause
For OMC Group, being part of this initiative was an opportunity not only to support a cause that touches thousands of Panamanian families, but also to come together and bond as a team around a common purpose. We had more than 15 volunteers from our organization who cheered on and accompanied participants throughout the entire route.
At our booth, we set up an activity with prizes and snacks so participants could recharge their energy after the walk and enjoy a pleasant moment with our team.
More Than a Walk
It was a beautiful and rewarding experience for the entire OMC Group team, both for the chance to contribute to such an important cause and for the sense of unity and solidarity felt throughout the event.
We remain committed to initiatives that make a positive impact on our community, and we look forward to being part of the Susie Thayer Family Walk again in the years to come.
Learn more about Fundacáncer and its programs at fundacancerpanama.org.
