The Minister of Health indicated that non-communicable diseases account for 45% of deaths in the Bahamas. Heart disease (non-communicable) is the number one killer of persons in the Bahamas.
The Bahamas Heart Association is the educational arm of The Sir Victor Sassoon Heart Foundation. 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 has scheduled several events during heart month to create awareness to heart disease and to help persons live heart healthy lifestyles.
The events for heart month are:
February 5th – Church Service at Heritage of Redeeming Love Methodist Church
February 11th – Free CPR Classes at SC McPherson School from 10 am to 2 pm
February 16th – Doctor’s Hospital Lecture at 6 pm, with blood pressure checks from 5pm. Free.
February 17th – Go red for Women day: Free
February 18th – The 48th Annual Heart Ball
February 23rd – The Annual Health Fair at Town Centre Mall from 9 am – 4 pm. Free.
February 23rd – Bahamas Surgical Associates Center / Cleveland Clinic Free Heart Health
Seminar at British Colonial Hilton. Reception at 6:30 pm, and seminar starts at 7:00pm.
February 25th – The Annual Fun / Run Walk
The public is encouraged to purchase “Go Red” pins for a minimum donation of $3, to be worn during Heart Month and especially on Go Red day. The pins symbolize women’s heart health, whilst the proceeds help to repair hearts.
According to Mrs. Thelma Johnson, The Bahamas Heart Association’s President,
“I wish to encourage individuals and corporations to become members of The Bahamas Heart Association. Our motto of “Mending Heart / Savings Lives” reaches every Bahamian. In that regard, we are calling upon all schools to encourage their students to wear red on the 17th February, in exchange for a gift donation of $1 per child”.
For details about Heart month and The Bahamas Heart Association, please contact us at The Heart Foundation 327-0806 or visit us online at sassoonheart@gmail.com.
