Health trends - A run to save hearts

Once a year, corporate Jamaica, groups and individuals converge on the streets of New Kingston for PanCaribbean's Sigma Corporate Run. The annual road race, designed to inspire fun, fitness and camaraderie, is a highly anticipated occasion for walkers, runners and wheelchair participants.

This year, in particular, the run focuses on saving the lives of children with heart defects. Chain of Hope Jamaica is the beneficiary of this year's Sigma Corporate Run, which takes place on Sunday, February 19. The goal is to raise $50 million, which will support the development of the cardiac unit at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Chain of Hope Jamaica has been collaborating with the Bustamante Hospital for Children since 1997 to establish a self-sustained paediatric cardiac programme, by training local doctors and donating vital equipment and infrastructure.

Three-year-old Justin Watson is one of the many children whose families have received life-saving assistance through Chain of Hope Jamaica. 'Baby Justin', as the hospital staff affectionately calls him, was born with a life-threatening condition caused by a hole in his heart. "He was on mediation since the day he was born," says Justin's mother Shaneil Roberts. "It was obvious that the medication wasn't working, and I had a real fear that I would lose him."

Registration for the run is now closed. However, donations to the cause can be made at any PanCaribbean office islandwide or Digicel customers can send a blank text message to 444-2498 for a donation valued at $50.

Source: Breakthrough Communications