THEY WERE born with holes in their hearts but with help from the public, the lives of 12 children, ranging in ages from two months to eight years, can be drastically improved or saved.
The 12 are to undergo heart surgery in mid-December and need blood as well over $500,000 to pay for expenses related to the surgeries.
Mrs. Beverley Dinham-Spencer, president of non-profit organisation, the Jamaica Foundation for Cardiac Disease (JFCD), said on Monday that the JFCD already has $400,000 but that $700,000 or more is needed to cover expenses for a team of 17 professionals and two administrative persons, journeying from Chain of Hope in the United Kingdom (UK) to perform the surgeries alongside local cardiac care surgeons.
The surgeries, which are to be done over a one-week period, will start December 13 and are being carried out by this team for the first time at the Bustamante Children's Hospital, Kingston. The team, which will be visiting the island for the fourth time, usually perform the surgeries at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).
The Foundation which has been key in giving better survival chances to over 1000 adults and children in the last five years, is also appealing for all types of blood.
They have set up an account for blood deposits at The Blood Bank, 21 Slipe Pen Road, Kingston and will be arranging for transport for potential donors within the Corporate Area.
"We need at least 100 units of blood," said JFCD Client services and sales co-ordinator, Serena Percy. She added that JFCD was hoping to have 12 or more units of blood to each child.
Donors are urged to call Mrs. Claudette Aldred at the Blood Bank (922-5181-4) between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm or visit the National Chest hospital collection centre in Barbican, Mondays to Thursdays from 8 am to 5 pm and Fridays up to 4 pm.
Persons in other parts of the island are being encouraged to visit blood collection centres at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay, St. James as well as other regional hospitals in St. Ann's Bay, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Port Antonio, Portland, Spanish Town, St. Catherine and Mandeville, Manchester from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
