Rationale:

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), “The Bahamas is experiencing a shift in its epidemiologic patterns away from deaths due to communicable diseases and toward those caused by chronic non-communicable diseases, AIDS and AIDS-related complex, and accidents, violence, and poisonings. These changes, coupled with increasing health care costs, have served to highlight the importance of health education and promotion as a vital component of the health care system.”

As with the rest of the world, The Bahamas is battling against preventable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, and Heart disease, and other chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes. The fight is conducted with the blunted weapons of limited funding and overworked healthcare providers. This is where The One Eleuthera Foundation and the wider community can assist, by helping to reduce the incidence of morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) and helping to support the wounded healers who are the healthcare professionals.

Purpose:

To develop and market the Cancer Society of Eleuthera as a Wellness Center and rentable space for community and civic gatherings and events.

Approach:

Extend CSE building and renovate existing areas to provide a calm, peaceful atmosphere which will serve as a source for cancer awareness through dissemination of information, cancer counseling and therapy for persons affected by cancer, and promoting healthy lifestyles through healthy eating and exercise. Further, CSEWC facilities will be available for rent to the public for various events and activities to assist in the sustainability of CSE.