GOLFERS teeing off in the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston’s Charity Golf Tournament, at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club, tomorrow will be “putting” towards the achievement of funds to purchase two haemodialysis machines.

“Our mission is to raise $6.7 million or US$70,000 for the two machines for the Diabetes Association of Jamaica,” Chin Sang, president of the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, said. “And, we urge golfers to support this tournament in an effort to preserve lives.”

The Diabetes Association of Jamaica is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that is set up to provide diabetes prevention and care to the public.

David Mais, tournament director, said that 18-hole tournament begins at 8:30 am, and golfers, who are already heading for the greens, will include — Livingstone Morrison, BOJ deputy governor and champion golfer of the Santa Charity Golf Tournament; Peter Chin, president, Alliance Investment Management; and His Excellency Yasuo Takase, ambassador of Japan.

Mais stated that players interested in registering for the golf tournament can do so by contacting Sheila Heaven at 383-3461 or e-mail Sheila.heaven@gmail.com. The tournament is open to men, women, seniors and super seniors.

Chin Sang further explained that the tournament was one of several projects organised by the Kiwanis Club to raise funds in support of initiatives, such as the Haemodialysis project. The Haemodialysis machines are being purchased for the Diabetes Association of Jamaica (DAJ) to help treat patients with kidney disease.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease and the second leading cause of death in Jamaica, she pointed out. It is estimated that about 400-600 new cases per million population of chronic renal failure occur in Jamaica per year and Diabetes Mellitus contributes significantly to this burden.

There are currently 50 dialysis machines in Jamaica treating approximately 250 patients, making it extremely difficult to offer treatment to all patients in need of kidney care. Therefore it is understandable why hundreds of patients are dying because there are not enough machines to treat patients.

She also noted that the club has partnered with Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) to open an account so that anyone can make a donation to the project. The account number is RSV-11171101 and persons can also send their donation via LIVE by JN, the Internet banking portal of the Society on www.jnbs.com, or deliver it at any JNBS branch across the island; as well as, through the JN representative offices in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Cayman.