David Schroeder of WVUR The Source 95.1 Interviews Taj Weekes About Upcoming TOCO/VALPO Fundraiser

WVUR THE SOURCE 95.1 FM, VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY

Interview by: David Schroeder, Sports Director

David Schroeder, Sports Director for WVUR The Source 95.1 FM Radio at Valparaiso University, interviews Taj Weekes in advance of the upcoming Valpo Men's Soccer fundraiser for his charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO).

Weekes discusses his goals for the launch of the new TOCO campaign, "Sneakers Not Wheelchairs," initiated to address the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia, his home country. "We've taken on the whole diabetes crisis in St. Lucia, which has the highest rate of diabetes per capita in the world. The aim is to take down 5000 diabetes testers to St. Lucia in November, because November is Diabetes Month the world over and what we're trying to do is give out testers to the people so they know whether or not they have diabetes... or they have pre-diabetes, and they can change their lives accordingly."

"Valpo has been instrumental in helping us with the cause. They have really been spearheading the effort."

Listen to Interview

Visit Audio Interview Page On www.TajAndAdowa.com

ABOUT THE FUNDRAISER:

The Valparaiso University men’s soccer program is teaming up with St. Lucian reggae artist Taj Weekes and his children's charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), to help launch the "Sneakers Not Wheelchairs" campaign - a public health initiative that will target the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia. The Crusaders will conduct a fundraiser during the home opener at Brown Field on September 6th at 5:00 p.m. against nationally-ranked Michigan.

The "Sneakers Not Wheelchairs" campaign is a direct reference to the growing diabetes epidemic in St. Lucia, which owns the highest rate of diabetes per capita in the world and where there is reportedly an estimated two amputations per week due to diabetes-related illnesses. Many become shut-ins because they are wheelchair bound, so the "Sneakers not Wheelchairs" campaign encourages St. Lucians to get up, put on their sneakers and exercise rather than become part of this alarming statistic.

TOCO is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization founded by St. Lucian reggae artist Taj Weekes and is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, at-risk and orphaned children in the Caribbean through sport, enrichment, educational and wellness programs. TOCO HEALTH targets the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia which can only be described as epidemic.