Some 70 persons responded to the initiative of Nagico Insurances in collaboration with its general agent, Century Insurance Agency held in the compound of the Walts Commercial Centre in the Valley on July 6, 2013. Photo: VINO

It can be concluded that Virgin Gordians are very health conscious and not only because of the large turnout at the Nagico Insurance health screening exercise on July 6, 2013 but because the results of the tests have shown that most screened for blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure levels were in the safe zone. Photo: VINO

Left to right: Supervisor at Nagico-Virgin Gorda, EmilyAnn Grant, Members of the Virgin Gorda Diabetes Association Marion Levons, Clare Pereira, Patsy Wilson Mathurin, Franka Pickering and Compliance Officer of Century Insurance Agency Sarah Hatcher. Photo: VINO

A resident of Virgin Gorda gets his blood pressure checked. Photo: VINO

The BVI Red Cross was responsible for blood typing. According to the Office Administrator at BVI Red Cross, Denise Gardner (centre), eight persons also pledged to donate blood. Photo: VINO

According to the President of the Virgin Gorda Diabetes Association, Ms Franka Pickering, it could be concluded from the results of the Health Screening exercise on Virgin Gorda that most of the persons screened for blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure levels were in the safe zone. “We can say that practically all that we have tested have been very good results thus far.” Photo: VINO

Patsy Wilson Mathurin, a registered nurse at the Iris O’Neal Clinic and member of the Virgin Gorda Diabetes Association, attends to Compliance Officer at Century Insurance, Sarah Hatcher during the screening exercise on Virgin Gorda on July 6, 2013. Photo: VINO

Some of the Volunteers of the Valley Sound Leo Club. From left to right: Tonya Vanterpool, Kalilah Chiverton (Secretary), Keri Octave (President), Evamai Warner, Shakida Powell and Denise Ricketts. Photo: VINO

The volunteer staff of Nagico Insurances and Century Insurance Agency pose for a group photo following the free health screen exercise. Photo: VINO

Tests done were for cholesterol level, glucose level, blood pressure and blood typing. Photo: VINO

The health screening exercise was held in the compound of the Walts Commercial Centre in the Valley, Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

Some 70 persons responded to the initiative of Nagico Insurances in collaboration with its general agent, Century Insurance Agency held in the compound of the Walts Commercial Centre in the Valley. The tests done were for cholesterol level, glucose level, blood pressure and blood typing.

Volunteers came from the Virgin Gorda Diabetes Association, BVI Red Cross, Century Insurance Agency and Valley Sound Leo Club.

According to the President of the Virgin Gorda Diabetes Association, Ms Franka Pickering, it could be concluded from the results that most of the persons screened for blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure levels were in the safe zone. “We can say that practically all that we have tested have been very good results thus far.”

She, however, advised that persons check their sugar and pressure levels a little more often. She also said that persons with a family history of high blood sugar should have regular check-ups.

The other volunteers from the Virgin Gorda Diabetes Association were Patsy Wilson Mathurin, a registered nurse at the Iris O’Neal Clinic; Clare Pereira, nurse at Iris O’Neal Clinic and Marion Levons.

The BVI Red Cross was responsible for blood groupings. According to the Office Administrator at BVI Red Cross, Denise Gardner, eight persons also pledged to donate blood. She also said it was important for the Red Cross to come up with a new list of potential donors since most on the existing list have gone back on their pledges. “It is important that we continuously update the list as we are always in need of blood as we may never know what emergency may arise.”

Gardner said anyone wishing to donate blood can visit the BVI Red Cross or can also call in to arrange a visit.

Meanwhile, some members of the Valley Leo Club gave up their Saturday morning as well as a few dollars from the club’s purse to provide refreshments to the persons screened.

According to Compliance Officer at Century Insurance, Sarah Hatcher, the activity was twofold. “One was to introduce Nagico to the community of Virgin Gorda. We have been here at the branch since April so we wanted people to know that we were here and open to business but the main thing is to actually get involved in the community here in Virgin Gorda so we thought that a really good way of doing that is to offer this free health screening.”

Ms Hatcher described the response to the activity as “fantastic”. She also expressed thanks to all the volunteers especially the Virgin Gorda Diabetes Association and the BVI Red Cross volunteers for giving of their time.

Other persons who assisted for free were Nutritionist Caroline Hitchman and Coralie George.