CARAIFA Foundation
The Aim
- Intensify all efforts to alert the population in all territories on the need to prevent kidney disease
- To identify and pursue methods to strengthen the delivery of renal health care in member states
- To actively pursue and encourage transplantation as a method of kidney care
To improve the lives of patients and their families throughout the region - To fund research and disseminate information on our regional experiences
Every year CARAIFA focuses on a health condition where we highlight the importance of health awareness and prevention, in the past, we focused on diabetes and hypertension. On October 31st of each year, our membership throughout the region joins its efforts with other health groups to high light a health condition, seeking to educate the public at large. We call this day “The Day of Common Concern” and in 2003 CARAIFA started to devote resources to creating a CARAIFA Foundation. The focus of the Foundation is on kidney complications, as we believe that more needs to be known about this disease as figures are showing an increasing number of deaths from kidney complications in our region. Many territories do not have the capacity to treat kidney failure and many of our friends, relatives and clients have to watch helplessly as their relatives slowly and painfully die from kidney complications. Among the most common persons who fall victim to kidney failures, according to medical sources, are those suffering from diabetes, hypertension and/or heart ailments.
As the first step in CARAIFA’s long-term plan in aiding in the fight against kidney disease in the Caribbean, CARAIFA launched its kidney awareness website on October 31st, 2003 in Barbados. Today, Information on the Foundation and kidney disease can be viewed here. The website disseminates information re prevention and early detection of kidney disease. The site also provides valuable information about treatment. It is our ultimate intention to have a facility on this site where kidney donors and patients may be located.
What makes the situation urgent is the fact that the prevalence of kidney disease in the region is certain to increase. PAHO, in reporting on its Meeting of Expert Working Group for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Caribbean identified diabetes and hypertension as among the leading causes of death in the region, and that the instances of these diseases were increasing. Among the main causes of kidney failure are diabetes and hypertension – these bed-fellows accounts for 60% of kidney failure. The reality then is that the greater the incidences of these two silent killers the more prevalent will be kidney complications and, subsequently, death.
Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, CARAIFA, felt compelled to lend our support to efforts towards regional kidney awareness.
Priority should be given to a transplant program and the region needs to improve its capacity to pursue such right now. Among the needs would be infrastructure, trained medical specialists and supporting staff, adequate operating facilities and the appropriate harvesting procedures for available organs.
The cost to help kidney sufferers alive has been cited as being extremely high. In Barbados, the annual cost to keep one patient on dialysis treatment is U.S $25,000.00. For the 100 persons or so on dialysis treatment that figure stands at U.S. $2.5 million. How many of our small Caribbean economies can afford to provide this level of support for a small segment of their population? What is the cost for a large territory like Jamaica with a proportionate population percentage on dialysis treatment? Is there any wonder then that governments do not give this ailing sector much priority?
The cost will be high but the value of a life can not be measured by dollars and cents. It is our hope that persons and institutions, both regional and international, will join our efforts and give generous support of ideas, funds and facilities.
Mission & Vision
Mission
To improve the quality of life of the sick and disadvantaged in the Caribbean community through wellness initiatives, education and charitable funding.
Vision
To be recognized globally as the Caribbean’ s leading foundation, promoting Healthy lifestyle choices and philanthropy
Ways to Give
PLEDGE CRITERIA
As the foundation moves forward to gain visibility and garner more pledges to assist its cause. It implores its members to be reminded of the criteria for pledges and to give generously:
Platinum
US$1000 annually for 5 years
Gold
US$500 annually for 5 years
Silver
US$250 annually for 5 years
Bronze
US$ 100 annually for 5 years
Make a pledge today! Contributors will be featured on the CARAIFA website and recognised at the CARAIFA annual Sales Congress.
CARAIFA Foundation Tote Bags or CARAIFA Foundation Pins
The CARAIFA Foundation in keeping with the GIVE =GET GET (GET)2 tag line will give a beautiful tote bag or CARAIFA Foundation pin in exchange for a minimum donation of US$20
Gift of Life Sponsors
Foundation Recipients
Name | Territory | Period | Amount (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|
Thomason Thomas (Dominica Dialysis Association) | Dominica | May 2024 | 700.00 |
Caryl Mitchel (Dominica Dialysis Association) | Dominica | May 2024 | 700.00 |
Olivia Valmond (Dominica Dialysis Association) | Dominica | May 2024 | 700.00 |
Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation | Jamaica | September 2019 | 2,170.30 |
Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation | Jamaica | September 2018 | 1,500.00 |
Creton Bourne | Jamaica | April, 2017 | 2,000.00 |
Jyoti Bann | Trinidad | April, 2015 | 3,000.00 |
Cleveland ‘Livy’ Carter | Barbados | February, 2013 | 2,000.00 |
Victor Prime | Grenada | January, 2013 | 3,500.00 |
Leebourne Reid | Jamaica | May, 2010 | 1,810.00 |
Nashali Malara | Belize | November, 2008 | 1,200.00 |
Henrietta John | St. Lucia | May, 2007 | 4,322.90 |
Zedina Bristol | Grenada | March, 2007 | 1,500.00 |
TOTAL DONATIONS | $ 25,103. 20 |
