Article Image Alt Text

Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Diabetes Foundation, Cally Boyea (centre), accepts a cheque from Rotary members (from left) Winston Warren, Meryl Caryn Stoute, Acting President Elvin Sealy, Malcolm Vaughn and Adrian Skeete.

Article Image Alt Text

Rotary Club of Barbados members (from left) Winston Warren, Meryl Caryn Stoute, Acting President Elvin Sealy, Malcolm Vaughn and Adrian Skeete recently made a presentation to
Acting President of the Diabetes Association of Barbados, Annette Clarke (third from right).

Article Image Alt Text

A section of the Rotary Club of Barbados members during the presentation.

Rotary Club of B’dos places diabetes awareness in focus

Two local organisations assisted

THE Rotary Club of Barbados recently presented the Barbados Diabetes Foundation and the Diabetes Association of Barbados with a monetary donation to assist with their ongoing work on the island.

The presentation was held recently as Barbados joined the world in recognising World Diabetes Day, during a luncheon held at the Hilton Barbados.

During the presentation, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Diabetes Foundation, Cally Boyea, thanked the Rotary Club as he highlighted the alarming diabetes statistics facing Barbados and the wider world. He also pointed to the high cost which faces persons living with Type 1 diabetes, particularly those who wish to move from daily injections to the insulin pump. He said it is hoped that through the Ian Woosman Type 1 Diabetes Registry, more persons can be assisted. He encouraged persons living with Type 1 diabetes to contact the Foundation to be added to the registry.

Acting President of the Diabetes Association of Barbados, Annette Clarke, also thanked the Rotary Club and expressed a need for more volunteers to come forward and assist the Association.

Director of Community Service, Adrian Skeete, stressed the importance of raising awareness focusing on Type 2 Diabetes, which is largely a preventable and treatable non-communicable disease, and Type 1 Diabetes, which is not preventable but can be managed with insulin injections.

“As a society we must be mindful that Type 2 Diabetes, many cases can be avoided and controlled with a healthy lifestyle with a good balanced diet and a daily exercise routine to help balance our bodies’ blood sugar levels.”

He explained that this year, the Rotary Club of Barbados started its awareness programme with a signature event for vocational service, Pride of Worksmanship Awards, which raised awareness not only for diabetes but also blood donations, while paying tribute to the silent heroes whom give so much to those in need.

This year’s awardees were Kevamae Sobers, Diabetes Specialist Nursing Officer at the QEH; Sandie Belle, Educator and Manager of the Camp Pride Diabetes Camp; John “Ricky” Wilson, Sustainable Development Consultant; Anderlene Sealy, Senior Blood Collection Technician; and the Barbados National Blood Bank. The fund-raising event raised $32 000.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000