Heart disease is the number one killer of persons in The Bahamas and around the world. According to statistics from The Department of Statistics over 24% of all deaths in the Bahamas are directly related to heart disease. February is celebrated annually as Heart Month. The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation and The Bahamas Heart Association want you to get involved.
The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation is a non-profit entity that helps to repair the hearts of children in The Bahamas. The Heart Ball Committee is the fundraising arm of The Heart Foundation; it consists of a group of dedicated volunteers who help to raise funds to repair children’s hearts. The Heart Foundation works along with The Bahamas Heart Association to educate and inform the public about living heart healthy lifestyles. The Bahamas Heart Association comprises of volunteers who provide their time and services to the following goals:
Assist the children in need, in our community with the cost of heart investigations and surgery.
Advises the public through the media of all aspects of heart disease, risk factors and preventative care. Speakers and educational material are available to schools, youth groups, service clubs and other public meetings.
The Bahamas Heart Association and The Heart Foundation, with the aid of the Heart Ball Committee, have jointly scheduled several events during heart month to create awareness of heart disease, to help persons live heart healthy lifestyles and to help raise funds to repair children’s hearts. Additionally, Doctor’s Hospital will host their monthly health talk.
The events for heart month are:
February 1st: Extended deadline for the Golden Heart Award
February 2nd: Joint Heart Month Launch at Cable Bahamas, hosted by Cable Bahamas and Solomon’s Super Centre in Nassau & Freeport.
February 2nd: Mall of Marathon booth
February 3rd: Church Service at St. Gregory’s Anglican Church, 9:30 am
February 6th: Salas Project Art Show, NPCC, 6pm
February 9th: Free CPR Classes at SC McPherson School, 10 am to 2 pm
February 14th: Mall at Marathon booth
February 15th: Go Red for Women Day: Wear Go Red and Foundation pins
February 16th: The 49th Annual Heart Ball
February 21st: Annual Health Fair at Town Centre Mall from 9am – 4pm. Free.
February 21st Doctor’s Hospital Lecture at 6 pm, with blood pressure checks from 5 pm. Free.
February 23rd: Boogie to Da Beat, NPCC from 10am-2pm
March 9th: The Annual Fun / Run Walk
According to Ms. Ingrid Sears, PR Officer of The Heart Ball Committee,
“February is Hearth month. It’s a time to share love and take care of matters of the heart. We want to encourage the public to help us repair the hearts of children. We also want to encourage the public to learn how to live heart healthy and protect their hearts. Heart disease does not discriminate; so we must all take a proactive approach to heart care through education and funding”.
She went on to say, “I want to encourage the public to help The Heart Foundation. At present there are over 12 patients in need of surgeries. You can assist by attending The Annual Heart Ball on Saturday February 16, 2013. You can also make a donation to The Heart Foundation. We are also encouraging persons to become members of The Bahamas Heart Association and to purchase the “Go Red” pins. Last but not least, we encourage members of the public to attend sponsored events such as The Launch at Cable Bahamas / Solomon’s Super Centre and The Salas Project. These entities will make donations to The Heart Foundation, based on payments and purchases. All funds raised help to repair children’s heart. We encourage you to save a little heart…..Embrace the opportunity today.”
For details about Heart month, The Heart Ball and The Bahamas Heart Association, please contact The Heart Foundation 327-0806.
By Ingrid Sears
Heart Ball Committee
