GRENADA NATIONAL PATIENT KIDNEY FOUNDATION
Launch of GNPKF - August 17th 2007
Despite the threat of inclement weather, possibly following behind Hurricane Dean, (which was going through the St.Lucia/Martinique Channel that day) the Grenada National Patient Kidney Foundation went ahead with its Launch at Camerhogne Park on August 17th from 3pm - 4 p.m.
Present to wish success to the Foundation in its endeavours to raise funds for the patients on kidney dialysis were the following:-
Senator the Hon. Ann David Antoine, Minister of Health and the Environment, Mr. Rudolph Jackson of Jamaica ( CARAIFA), Mrs.Glynis Roberts, Parliamentary Secretary for South St.George, Pastor James Radloff of Grace Lutheran Church, Grand Anse, and Sandra Coombs-Paterson of Courts. Photos are by Deighton Sylvester.
Although the weather was threatening, it stayed fine with only a few gusts of wind, but was not as well attended as hoped, as many stayed home, not wanting to take a risk. Pastor Radloff led in prayer, and the speakers were Michael Miller, the President of GNPKF and Rudolph Jackson of Jamaica, who represented CARAIFA. The Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors helps Kidney Patients including the little girl, Zedina, who is also on dialysis in Grenada , and raises funds for kidney transplants. Glynis Roberts, the Parliamentary Representative for St.George's South, also spoke.
Senator the Hon. Ann David Antoine, Minister of Health and the Environment emphasized prevention. She said," We really want to encourage people to adjust their lifestyles accordingly, so that the conditions which will result from diabetes and hypertension and in fact obesity, will no longer exist, or can be reduced significantly." She wanted people to remember that dialysis is lifelong, unless you have a transplant, and of course, you can never guarantee that even that will work.
Foundation President Michael Miller said that support and encouragement of the public is of fundamental importance. 'You can make a big contribution, you can make a small contribution, from ten dollars upward a month and it will help go a long way to helping the patients to live and move forward". He said.
Sandra Coombs- Paterson of Courts then cut the balloons and declared that the Grenada National Patient Kidney Foundation was now launched.
