When Ms Becky Felicien of Virgin Gorda lost her daughter Demiah O. O’Neal (above) suddenly and unexpectedly on January 30, 2014, she educated herself on the condition to took her away at the tender age of 11 years old and thought should share it. Photo: Provided

Ms Felicien has taken the bold step of forming an organization named Demiah Cares Foundation and it will be official launched tomorrow June 21, 2014 on the Island of Virgin Gorda. Photo: Provided

The flyer for tomorrow's AVM awareness walk. Image: Provided

What Ms Felicien chose to do was to take steps to educate as many persons as she possibly can about the condition her child was diagnosed with called Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM).

An AVM can be thought of as a "Short Circuit" where the blood does not go to the tissues, but is pumped through the shunt and back to the heart without ever giving nutrients to the tissues.

Ms Felicien has taken the bold step of forming an organization named Demiah Cares Foundation and while it would be officially launched tomorrow June 21, 2014 on the Island of Virgin Gorda Ms Felicien said that the walk is to spread awareness of the condition known as AVM.

“The walk is to promote awareness and not the foundation, however, the foundation is geared to raise funds for medical assistance, scholarship, awareness campaigns,” she said.

To-date, she added, the community response to walk has been truly amazing with over 150 orders for t-shirts, “and we are expecting over 200 walkers for AMV and Aneurysm Awareness.

In addition to Demiah Cares Foundation’s objective of spreading the awareness about AVM and Aneurysm through various activities, there will be the establishment of a scholarship fund.

The walk on June 21 starts at 6:00 am at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Virgin Gorda branch and there will be t-shirts and other paraphernalia on sale along with fruits and water for all participants.

Becky Felicien is President of the Demiah Cares Foundation and is supported by an executive body with Vice President Alicia Francis, Treasurer Mary Campbell, Secretary Soroya Amedee, Lead Activities Coordinator Lori O'Neal and Public Relations Officer Jerrell George.