TOCO HEALTH

 

MISSION

TOCO HEALTH hopes to increase public awareness of the rising diabetes epidemic in the Caribbean through awareness campaigns, public service announcements, health fairs and mission trips in partnership with health professionals and organizations throughout the Caribbean.

INSPIRATION

Alarmed by the escalating rate of diabetes in the Caribbean, Taj Weekes saw a natural connection between the healthy exercise provided by soccer and its positive benefit in helping to prevent Type 2 diabetes amongst the youth. St. Lucia currently carries one of the highest rates of diabetes per capita in the world with children as young as two years old suffering from limb amputations and severe illness.

DIABETES IN ST. LUCIA

According to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Programmes’ Pilot Project on Diabetes and Hypertension, more than 31,000 St. Lucians were screened by the UHC amid concerns that the disease was the leading cause of death on the island, which has an estimated population of 173,000 people. The study found that St. Lucia had one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world per capita, with 28.1% of the population having high blood sugar and some 8.1% of the population being diabetic. Studies suggest that the use of proper nutrition and exercise may reduce the risk of developing the disease by as much as 60% and that achieving diabetes control is also possible through lifestyle changes and therapeutic interventions.

PROJECTS

  • TOCO HEALTH initiated the Clothesline Project in St. Lucia in March 2010 to address the devastating effects of domestic violence. The Clothesline Project is a visual display of t-shirts strung on laundry lines with handmade graphic messages and illustrations that have been designed by women survivors of violence or by someone who loves a woman who has been killed. The purpose of the project is to increase awareness of the impact of violence against women, to celebrate a woman's strength to survive and to provide an avenue for her to courageously break the silence that often surrounds her experience.
  • TOCO HEALTH has partnered with the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association (SLDHA) to develop programs to educate youth about the importance of nutrition and exercise in reducing the risk of diabetes.
  • In November 2009, during Diabetes Awareness Month, TOCO brought 2700 blood glucose testers to St. Lucia and joined the Wave's "Walk and Burn" march to help bring awareness to the island's diabetes crisis.
  • TOCO HEALTH is currently campaigning to collect blood glucose meters and test strips for distribution in St. Lucia to those who are unable to afford these vital testing supplies.
  • TOCO HEALTH partnered with LIFEbeat in the United States to help increase awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS by distributing condoms and pamphlets during Taj Weekes & Adowa’s Summer 2008 Tour. The band also performed at Rivington House, a residential care facility for people living with HIV/AIDS through LIFEbeat's "Hearts and Voices" Program in New York City this past March.

DONATIONS

Please visit our Take Action page for more information on how you can help!