Club Commits $75K to Life-Saving Causes
Posted by Susanna Henighan
The Rotary Club of Tortola has committed $75,000 to aid life-saving causes in the BVI. President Percy announced on Thursday, September 25, that the funds, which were raised earlier this year at the club's Grand Affair auction, would go to combat diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and cancer.
"This year, the theme of the Grand Affair was 'Saving Lives' and the Rotary Club selected three causes, which you would agree with me devastate lives in our community: cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS," Percy said.
The President said that $25,000 will go to activities that combat diabetes. One such activity will be Camp Turtledove, a mini-camp for young people with diabetes which will teach children how to cope and live with the disease.
The objective of the camp is to give young people with diabetes an opportunity to interact with their peers, and also to teach them about healthy eating habits, exercise activities and how to self-monitor and give themselves insulin injections.
"We must start with the young to break the vicious cycle of unhealthy lifestyles, and this should provide a good model with which to begin," Pres. Percy said.
Another donation of $25,000 will go to HIV/AIDS related causes, including the BVI HIV/AIDS Foundation, Ltd. Pres. Percey said that in 2007, young people ages 15-24 accounted for half of all new HIV infections in the world. Approximately 60 percent of these are amongst young women.
"The HIV/AIDS epidemic has impacted the entire world including the BVI, creating various problems that will have devastating implications for future growth and development," Pres. Percy said.
The final donation of $25,000 will go to cancer-related causes. Pres. Percy said that one such activity will be the establishment of a breast cancer screening programme, which will be similar to the annual prostate cancer screening now offered to men.
In addition, Pres. Percy said that the club would establish a fund to lend assistance for the early treatment and diagnosis of all types of cancer.
In addition to these three major donations, the Club will contribute $10,000 to the Henry Osmond Creque Educational Trust, the main object and purpose of which is to apply its capital and income for charitable purposes including the advancement of education for citizens and residents of the British Virgin Islands.
The Grand Affair is the largest fundraiser of the Rotary Club of Tortola's year.
"With generous contributions from our community through the prizes donated, we are able to raise funds to touch lives, to help support and maintain programmes and organisations, which benefit individuals and the community at large," Pres. Percy said.
He noted that the 2009 Grand Affair is tentatively scheduled for February 28, 2009.
The President said that $25,000 will go to activities that combat diabetes. One such activity will be Camp Turtledove, a mini-camp for young people with diabetes which will teach children how to cope and live with the disease.
The objective of the camp is to give young people with diabetes an opportunity to interact with their peers, and also to teach them about healthy eating habits, exercise activities and how to self-monitor and give themselves insulin injections.
"We must start with the young to break the vicious cycle of unhealthy lifestyles, and this should provide a good model with which to begin," Pres. Percy said.
Another donation of $25,000 will go to HIV/AIDS related causes, including the BVI HIV/AIDS Foundation, Ltd. Pres. Percey said that in 2007, young people ages 15-24 accounted for half of all new HIV infections in the world. Approximately 60 percent of these are amongst young women.
"The HIV/AIDS epidemic has impacted the entire world including the BVI, creating various problems that will have devastating implications for future growth and development," Pres. Percy said.
The final donation of $25,000 will go to cancer-related causes. Pres. Percy said that one such activity will be the establishment of a breast cancer screening programme, which will be similar to the annual prostate cancer screening now offered to men.
In addition, Pres. Percy said that the club would establish a fund to lend assistance for the early treatment and diagnosis of all types of cancer.
In addition to these three major donations, the Club will contribute $10,000 to the Henry Osmond Creque Educational Trust, the main object and purpose of which is to apply its capital and income for charitable purposes including the advancement of education for citizens and residents of the British Virgin Islands.
The Grand Affair is the largest fundraiser of the Rotary Club of Tortola's year.
"With generous contributions from our community through the prizes donated, we are able to raise funds to touch lives, to help support and maintain programmes and organisations, which benefit individuals and the community at large," Pres. Percy said.
He noted that the 2009 Grand Affair is tentatively scheduled for February 28, 2009.