The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

In an effort to "do more, care more, be more", members of the Pilot Club of Nassau and the Sunshine Pilot Club will host a brain health seminar this Saturday to highlight a 20-year study on haemorrhagic strokes in the Bahamas.

Haemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. Brain haemorrhages can result from many conditions that affect an individual's blood vessels. These include: uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), over-treatment with anticoagulants (blood thinners), and weak spots in blood vessel walls (aneurysms).

Among those taking the stage at Holy Cross Church this Saturday to shine a light on the issue will be neurosurgeon Dr Magnus Ekedede.

Pilot International is worldwide team of volunteers who take an active part in helping communities around the world to be a better place to live. The group's mission is to influence positive change, with specific focus on: preparing youth and young adults for service; encourage brain safety and health, and support those who care for others.

There are five clubs in the Bahamas - two located in New Providence, the Pilot Club of Nassau and the Sunshine Pilot Club; two in Grand Bahama, the Pilot Club of Lucaya and the Pilot Club of Freeport, and one located in Abaco, the Pilot Club of Abaco.

"The Pilot Clubs in Nassau sponsor a brain health seminar annually in order to bring awareness to brain health issues in the Bahamas. This year, Dr Magnus has kindly consented to share information on hemorrhagic strokes in the Bahamas, and we are anxious to share this information to the Bahamian public free of charge. We have sponsored the past three other seminars on topics such as traumatic brain injury, aneurisms, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and caring for the elderly," said Rita Spriggs, event chairperson.

She urged everyone who suffers from hypertension, and is therefore potentially in danger of having a stroke, to attend the event, as she promises it will be a life-changing experience.

"We hope to fulfil our mandate in helping people to take care of their brain. We will continue to give service to the community, the elderly, and train our youth in the anchor clubs for service. We have anchor clubs in Queen's College, St Anne's and Anatol Rodgers High. Other sister clubs also support anchor clubs in their community," said Ms Spriggs.