Twenty-five per cent of all deaths in the Bahamas were directly related to heart disease, according to The Department of Statistics in 2009. Today, heart disease remains the major cause of death in The Bahamas. It is also the main cause of death around the world.
February is celebrated annually as Heart Month. The year 2014 marks the anniversary of the 50th Heart Ball. The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation and The Bahamas Heart Association want you to get involved, help to save a life, and to keep your heart healthy.
The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation is a non-profit entity, established in 1961 by Evelyn, Lady Sassoon, 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 Ball Committee has hosted the Annual Heart Ball from 1965, as the main fundraiser to aid the Heart Foundation. To date, over 4,000 people have benefitted from the generosity of The Heart Foundation.
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:
1. Assist the children in need, in our community with the cost of heart investigations and surgery.
2. 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, The Heart Foundation, with the aid of the Heart Ball Committee and sponsors, 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. The public is invited to attend these events.
The events for heart month are:
January 29th – Heart Association’s Membership drive, 6pm at Doctor’s Hospital. Free
February 1st- Mall at Marathon booth 10 am – 6 pm. Free
February 2nd – Church Service at Church of the Resurrection (RC) @ 10:00 am. Free
February 3rd – Keep your Heart Healthy – Diabetes Support @ NPCC, 6:30 pm
February 8th – Public Awareness & CPR Classes at SC McPherson School from 10 am to 2 pm. Free
February 8th – Fit and Fun Event NPCC, 10 am – 12pm.
February 13th – Salus Art Project – Pulse at the Ladder Gallery, NPCC @ 7pm
February 14th – Heart Month Launch at Cable Bahamas. Free
February 15th – The 50th Annual Heart Ball
February 20th – Doctor’s Hospital Lecture at 6 pm, with blood pressure checks from 5 pm. Free.
February 21- Go Red Day- Entire Bahamas to dress in red and purchase a pin
February 27th – The Annual Health Fair at Town Centre Mall from 10 am – 4 pm. Free.
March 1st – nual Fun / Run Walk
According to Mrs. Thelma Johnson, President of the Bahamas Heart Association,
“February is Hearth month. It’s a time to embrace love and life. It’s a time to 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”.
According to the PR Officer for the Heart Ball Committee, Ms. Ingrid Sears, “I want to encourage the public to support Heart Month and The Heart Foundation. The year 2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of The Annual Heart Ball. This year’s Ball promises to be an evening filled with glitz, glamour and fun. It’s an opportunity to get dressed-up, look your best, enjoy an evening out, wins lots of prizes and know that your money is given to a most worthy cause. We encourage you to join us as we celebrate the golden anniversary of a vision and champion the cause of children”.
To further assist The Heart Foundation, the public can also make donations to The Heart Foundation. Booklet ads for the Commemorative Heart Ball booklet can also be purchased. Additionally, the public can also join The Bahamas Heart Association, and purchase “Go Red” and “Heart” Foundation pins. Finally, members of the public can support sponsored events such as The Salas Art Project, and the Fun Run Walk. Proceeds from such events benefit The Heart Foundation.
For details about Heart month, The 50th Annual Heart Ball and The Bahamas Heart Association, please contact The Heart Foundation 327-0806.
