The RayAsta Foundation, founded on August 13, 2020, in memory of Raymond J. Astaphan, focuses on improving stroke care and rehabilitation services in the community. Raymond, a promising medical student with degrees in neuroscience and psychology, tragically lost his life in a vehicular accident on May 29, 2015. His legacy lives on through the foundation, which aims to support individuals affected by strokes by promoting compassion, transparency, and generosity within the community.
In a recent press release, the foundation emphasized the urgent need for support for stroke survivors in Dominica. A special simulcast event is scheduled for April 1st at 7 PM, where the RayAsta Foundation, hosted by Jael Joseph, will raise awareness about stroke prevention and fund essential care and rehabilitation services for those in need. The campaign will highlight several key areas, including:
– Training for caregivers to provide compassionate and skilled support.
– Provision of at-home care and essential medical equipment.
– Physical therapy services aimed at enhancing recovery and fostering independence.
The core principles guiding the RayAsta Foundation’s mission include public education and sensitization regarding strokes, development of clinical protocols for paramedics and emergency services, comprehensive staff training, establishment of a dedicated stroke care unit, and training programs for caregivers and supervisors.
To honor Raymond’s memory, multiple initiatives focused on stroke awareness, care, and prevention are in the planning stages, set to commence on May 29. One of the notable programs is the RayAsta Stroke Care Giver level 2 training, which is set to begin on April 7 at the Dominica State College.
Interested participants can register by calling 448-0571, stated the organization. This certificate course is implemented in partnership with the college and will cover crucial topics, including:
– An introduction to the RayAsta Initiative.
– Understanding stroke and its implications.
– Psychological impacts on stroke patients.
– Insights from caregivers’ perspectives.
– Testimonials from stroke survivors.
Cecilia St. Hilaire, CEO of the RayAsta Foundation, expressed concern regarding the alarming statistics of stroke incidents in Dominica. “There are two stroke patients admitted to the Dominica China Friendship Hospital weekly, which is alarmingly high,” she stated. Many patients face limited recovery outcomes due to a lack of public awareness regarding stroke symptoms and the importance of early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as the need for preventive measures.
The upcoming campaign aims to educate the public on various aspects of stroke care, with goals to:
– Reduce the incidence of strokes.
– Increase public awareness of stroke symptoms.
– Promote healthy lifestyle choices to prevent strokes.
– Enhance recovery outcomes for stroke patients.
All events will be livestreamed on Facebook, providing accessibility for the community to engage with the foundation’s initiatives. For further information about the RayAsta Foundation and its programs, interested individuals can visit www.rayastafoundation.org or www.facebook.com/RayAstaFoundation.