ON Saturday June 6 at the Belargo Park, Cap Estate home of John and Arletta Bailey, the St. Lucia Arthritis and Lupus Association (SLALA) held the fourth in a series of benefit concerts dubbed “Music for a Cause” geared at raising funds for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme, VIV BYEN.
The Viv Byen programme benefits all persons who are living with chronic diseases (not just arthritis and lupus) as well as family members or loved ones who interact with them.
SLALA had the distinct pleasure of having the internationally renowned concert pianist, Guyanese-born Ray Luck, perform a wide range of music, including items by Chopin and Cesar Franck, island music by John Ireland, Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy, as well as a piano duo medley of familiar St Lucian folk songs, for which he was joined by John Bailey.
It was an intimate night of wonderful music and entertainment with some lucky persons walking away with coveted door prizes generously donated by Crystals Hotel in Soufriere as well as Keebees Grill and Bar. There was also an open auction of an all-inclusive weekend for two thanks to the Anse Chastanet Hotel as well as collectable art works donated by St. Lucia Fine Arts.
Guardian Group and Jeffrey & Jeffrey Insurance Agency made a significant contribution, donating $4,000 towards the Viv Byen programme. There were many contributions from other sponsors which helped make the event a huge success, raising an estimated $14,000 for the cause.
The VIV BYEN programme, which was revived in June 2014, has been spreading across St. Lucia and for this year four workshops have been carried out in self- management. There is a leaders training workshop planned for June 15-18 which will be hosted in Soufriere for volunteer leaders along the west coast. This a great start to have workshops available to the many persons from Anse la Raye to Choiseul who have indicated a desire to do Viv Byen and these 12 volunteers will be mandated to do at least two workshops a year each in their areas. This means as many as 120 persons can do Viv Byen if they take the opportunity.
Viv Byen is a powerful tool which helps persons manage chronic disease better, leading to general improved health and functioning. Once again SLALA would like to thank all those who supported and made donations and would like to encourage members of the public to make Viv Byen a personal choice and change their lives! For information, contact SLALA at 486-7000 or email [email protected] or [email protected].