MONTEGO BAY, St James– Catherine Massey got the fright of her life last year when doctors diagnosed her newborn baby boy with a respiratory disorder and required the immediate support of a ventilator.

Her fright worsened on learning that the life saving equipment was unavailable at the private hospital where she had been admitted, and those at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, to which she was transferred, were defective. Luckily, little Justin eventually received care through an adjusted adult ventilator at the University Hospital of the West Indies and made a full recovery.

The relieved mother, who is employed to Sandals Resorts International, refused to let the story end there however, and on recovering pleged to do everything in her power to ensure that another infant’s life was not similarly threatened.

Her resolve was strengthened earlier this year in June when Donna Mairs, a colleague employed to Beaches Negril, experienced the tragedy of losing her newborn to respiratory complications which could have been overcome if only the necessary ventilator had been available.

Four months ago, Massey made an impassioned plea to the Sandals Foundation for help in sourcing a ventilator to boost the critical neo-natal child care service provided by the Cornwall Regional’s medical team.

Consequently, last week the Sandals Foundation, in partnership with the Miami-based Syracuse Medial Equipment Inc. donated a US$6,500 Infrasonics Infant Star 500 Ventilator to the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH).

According to Sandals Foundation projects coordinator Sheryl McGaw-Douse, with the support of Joe Rich of the World One Foundation, Syracuse’s President Bruce Bouthiller, donated the equipment.

Massey and Mairs attended last week’s handing over of the ventilator at the CRH.

“Donna and I applaud the medical team at the hospital who did all they could in both our situations but were hampered by the lack of equipment,” said Massey.

“I am very pleased that whilst I still grieve for my little one, I have assisted in making this piece of equipment available and perhaps prevent another mother from going through the pain I felt,” added Mairs.

Sandals Foundation Senior Coordinator, Heidi Clarke said her company was committed to making a difference through the contribution of the item, while Pansie Brown, administrator at CRH, expressed that the ventilator will provide further support to the three already at the facility.