Calabash TV presents Taj Weekes speaking about the alarming rate of diabetes on St. Lucia, which has the highest rate per capita in the world.

Taj Weekes makes a diabetes PSA to raise awareness about the diabetes epidemic in St. Lucia 

TOCO College showcase with US soccer coaches from Valparaiso, Biola, St John's and St. Joseph's along with the SLFA and the Sacred Cow

Claudius Francis of HTS and Radio 100 speaks to Taj Weekes about his TOCO's 2700 glucometer donation.

Taj Weekes pays a visit to the Bordelais Correctional Facility in St. Lucia where he presented soccer balls to the inmates through his charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO).

The administration welcomed the donation noting that the footballs will go a long way in helping develop a tournament amongst inmates. Formerly, there was only one football being shared by the entire facility. Ms. Victoria Alcide, Assistant Custodial Director of the facility, indicated that the donations will allow the inmates to be engaged in the sport for lengthier periods.

Part of the vision is to establish a correctional officers team that can play against the inmates. Such activities are being considered as part of the rehabiliation plan for inmates. Weekes states, "I am really moved by the correctional facility thing because I think had these kids gotten some balls earlier, they probably would not have been here. They would have had something to keep them going in another way. We just hope that this can actually change some of their lives and hopefully they don't show up again."

Dr. Michael Graven, the Canadian specialist who analysed data from the Universal Health Care (UHC) Programmes' Pilot Project on Diabetes and Hypertension, declares diabetes as the number one cause of death and hospitalization on St. Lucia.

He states, "There is someone getting a leg, and in many cases, both legs cut off at one of the hospitals every week. The rates at which amputations are occurring, which is one of the complications of diabetes... is epidemic. There are lots of people here in St. Lucia that are shut-ins because they have lost both of their legs already."

Health Minister Dr. Keith Mondesir addresses the need for dialysis due to kidney failure, another complication from diabetes. "We have a very high demand for dialysis because of kidney failure. Most of the kidney failure we get here is the result of diabetes."

Dr. George Eugene, president of the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Society, adds, "'Increase the public awareness' campaigns need to be launched... There is a lot of work to be done."