Digicel SVG, Saint James School of Medicine host country’s first Colour Run

With diabetes being named the third main cause of death in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), issues surrounding the non-communicable disease were brought to the fore on Saturday, June 4, when Digicel partnered with the Saint James School of Medicine, through its group ACTIVE to host a Colour Run. The run was geared at heightening the public’s awareness on the many ills of diabetes.{{more}}

The 5k, which was held under the theme, “Colour Me Cured,” commenced at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex and culminated at the Richmond Hill Playing Field. The run was then followed by a health fair, where the Saint James Medical students were able to practise clinical skills of blood pressure and blood glucose testing.

Approximately 100 Vincentians participated in Saturday’s diabetes run, including chief medical officer Dr Simone Keizer- Beache and other members of staff of the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment.

Meondra Creer, a student at the Saint James School of Medicine and also organizer of the Colour Run said, “The Colour Run was not simply a race, but participants were excited to get active in support of diabetes; and the process of setting up the Colour Run was very exciting for ACTIVE.” Additionally, Creer thanked Digicel for not only sponsoring the Colour Run, but for also being actively involved by inviting employees and their family to participate in the activity.

Meanwhile, Digicel’s head of Mobile Operations Dionne Emtage said she is extremely pleased that Vincentians are taking the issue of diabetes very seriously, which she said was demonstrated by the turn-out on Saturday morning.

Emtage added that Digicel is committed to improving the lives of all Vincentians and will continue to grasp at every opportunity that is geared towards raising awareness of diseases that continue to plague and negatively impact the lives of Vincentians.

Saturday’s activity also saw a cash donation being made to the National Diabetic and Hypertension Association by the Saint James School of Medicine.