Fundraiser to Combat Obesity in Jamaica

Jamaican Women of Washington, (JWOW), will host its sixth annual tea-off to good health and silent auction fundraiser on Sunday, June 8 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C.
JWOW is a non-profit charity organization that works to raise awareness and provide support for women, children and families affected by important health and social issues.
This year’s fundraiser will focus on combating obesity in Jamaica and highlight the importance of promoting a culture of wellness and adopting healthy lifestyles. The Mayor of Washington, D.C. Adrian M. Fenty and wife Michelle Fenty, will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs. Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson and wife Pamela Johnson will serve as the event co-Chairs.
Dr. Pierre Vigilance, Director of D.C. Department of Health will deliver the keynote address. A silent auction will be held during the event featuring exotic Caribbean getaways and the main highlight will be the anticipated ‘HATrageous’ presentation from the Hattery of Georgetown Mall and door prize compliments of Air Jamaica.
Dr. Jacqui Watson, president of JWOW, states that “this year’s obesity prevention awareness and wellness promotion was the obvious and timely choice, since obesity is now a global epidemic with staggering health, economic and workforce development consequences for both regions and it is preventable”.
Obesity is a chronic non-communicable disease whose burden is being felt by both rich and poor in Jamaica and the greater Washington, D.C. area she said. Dr. Watson disclosed that from the fundraising event a grant award will be made to the Combined Disabilities Association and My Sister’s Place. JWOW has contributed US$125,000 or J$9.5 million to a number of charitable organisations in Jamaica over the last five years. The charities that have benefited are Jamaica AIDS Support, Mensana, Community for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill, the Jamaica Cancer Society, Family and Parent Centre and the Western Society for the Upliftment of Children.