The Halo Foundation recently handed over a cheque of EC$5000 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, as a contribution to their initial slate of activities.
Their Excellencies Sir Rodney and Lady Williams assumed patronage this month, of the newly-established Heart and Stroke Foundation of Antigua and Barbuda. This brings the number of organizations of which they are Patrons to thirty-seven.
“We are extremely committed to helping organizations that are set on making a real difference nationwide”, commented Lady Williams, President and Founder of Halo. “It is quite important that every effort is made to give back, whenever possible”.
President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Georgette Meade, said that “persons are often not well informed on matters of the heart, and having some key pointers may help to save a life”. She continued that the organization “is comprised of a group of vibrant, like-minded individuals who all have a vested interest in this particular area”.
Governor General H.E. Sir Rodney Williams spoke of the similarity of the causes of both conditions. He congratulated Dr. Meade on this initiative, and emphasized the need for prevention, through awareness building and the discouragement of certain risk factors such as cigarette smoking, obesity, stress, and physical inactivity.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation has several planned media events during the month of February, including weekly Monday segments on the ABS morning show, and a series of radio interviews. A Cardiac Symposium was recently hosted by Dr. Meade and Dr.Elric Winter, visiting cardiologist from Montreal, Canada. The symposium focused on the evaluation and management of common cardiac diseases found in Antigua and Barbuda.
Photo caption: L-R
H.E. Lady Williams; Cuthbert Forbes (PRO Halo Foundation) and Vijay Tewani (Heart and Stroke Foundation) at Government House.