‘Bike and Breakfast’ to fight kidney disease

The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (TTAIFA) and Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CARAIFA) will jointly observe the “Day of Common Concern.” They have planned an inaugural “Bike and Breakfast” from 7 am to 11 am on Sunday, October 31 at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. According to Cecil Fredericks, TTAIFA President, the “Day of Common Concern” is recognised throughout the Caribbean to aid in heightening awareness of a medical ailment. Kidney Disease is the focus this year, and the event will also serve to celebrate CARAIFA’s advent.

Proceeds from the one of a kind cycling event will go toward the Renal Care Centre, which has been recognised as one of the most active kidney disease support groups in Trinidad and Tobago. Details were given when Fredericks recently spoke at the event’s launch at the Queen’s Park Oval. The “Bike and Breakfast” has received the support of the insurance community; LD Chan Maharaj, Managing Director, Renal Care Centre; and Mayor of Port-of-Spain Murchison Brown. Brown commended Michael  Phillips, Managing Director of Phillips Promotions on the initiative taken to elevate cycling’s profile in Trinidad and Tobago in general and the capital city in particular, over the last two years. And he also heaped praises on TTAIFA and CARAIFA for their involvement with such a worthy cause.

In giving the event an endorsement, Brown also pledged his support for its success and said that the city plans to sponsor two competing cyclists as a further illustration of his support. He also  cautioned motorists of the strict enforcement of Port-of-Spain traffic regulations from Monday. Maharaj described the event as “a new dimension of public awareness” and encouraged the participation of family members, leisure riders and professional cyclists in support of the fight against a disease that is prevalent in Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking of her personal experience with Chronic Renal Failure, Lorraine Ragbir, who opened the launch with an invocation, charted her course from diagnosis to denial, to treatment and eventual recovery. October 19 will be five years since her kidney transplant.

In 1998 veteran cyclist and former national cyclist during the 1960s, Lloyd Joseph, who was also at the launch, donated a kidney to his son Ronald, also a former national cyclist. The elder Joseph still compete in the Trinidad and Tobago cycling circuit in the Veterans Category and hopes to be a part of the “Bike and Breakfast” especially since the cause holds a special place in his heart. The “Bike and Breakfast” will run from 7 am to 11 am with the recreational riders competing  from 7-9 am. Competition will be in ten categories — Seniors, Juniors, Women, Categories 4, 5, Masters Open, 50+, 60+, Main Event Open, Children and 14 and Under Road Bikes. Close to $8,000 in prizes will be at stake in the event on the police, race marshal and steward patrolled course on the inside lane of the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Philips promised a safe course for the riders which will include national standouts and recreational cyclists while, at the same time, highlight the benefits of bicycles to a congested society in the future. Sponsors include Guardian General, Sagicor, Clico, Algico, TATIL, Beacon Insurance, Maritime Insurance, Mega Insurance, Agostini Pharmaceuticals and M&D. Registration begins at 6 am on the day and is $80 for individuals, $30 for children and $7,500 per ten-member corporate team. For further information call Phillips Promotions at 622-9862.