Yendi Phillipps Foundation off to a positive start

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Miss Jamaica Universe first runner-up Yendi Phillipps officially launched her foundation on Sunday night at the Fiction Lounge.

Promptly beginning at 6 p.m., the event was well attended.

The Yendi Phillipps Foundation (YPF), according to Phillipps, "is based on the premise that knowledge is power and so we try to empower people about wellness with information, and also to facilitate wellness from a holistic perspective of mind, body, soul".

She further commented that the first initiative of the foundation is "to try to educate people and create awareness and also facilitate the prevention of HPV/cervical cancer".

The night began with the specially invited guests being briefed about the foundation and its plans. Later on, there were performances by Tami Chynn and Protoje.

Hosted by Kerry-Ann 'Kiki' Lewis, the programme ran smoothly from speeches to entertainment to a fashion show and giveaways. The fashion show showcased designs from the newcomers and household names in the fashion industry, such as Mission Catwalk's Shenna Carby, Ayanna Dixon and Keneea Linton. Other designers were Julan and Jae Jolly. Later on in the night, Phillipps was again at the microphone for another important announcement. She stated that the aim of the night's proceedings was to pay for the vaccination of 18 women with HPV at a cost of $18,000 each.

After the donations were counted, Phillipps said the foundation surpassed that number and would be able to vaccinate more than 30 women. Phillipps expressed her gratitude to those who donated as well as those who were yet to.

Silent auction

After her announcement, a good Samaritan in the audience donated an additional $100,000 to further the foundation's cause.

At the entrance of the lounge a silent auction was also being held, where bidders were able to bid on 15 of Phillipps' pageant gowns.

"I thought the launch was really good, the atmosphere was great. The message was carried across and an awareness was created because many persons in the room were unaware of what the issue was, but the launch served the purpose that it was supposed to," Phillipps explained.

"Increasing awareness does not stop here," she said, as the YPF campaign will continue to inform persons about HPV/cervical cancer.