IN recognition of Heart Month this February, the Desnoes & Geddes (D&G) Foundation has donated $750,000 to the University Hospital of the West Indies’ (UHWI) annual cardiac mission.

This contribution will help provide life-saving heart surgeries for indigent patients suffering from severe cardiac conditions, including rheumatic heart disease, which continues to afflict young Jamaicans.

For the past five years, UHWI has collaborated with Montefiore Hospital in Bronx, New York, to host this mission, which brings together a team of local and international volunteers to perform open-heart surgeries for up to 10 patients.

However, the cost of the procedures remains a significant hurdle, with the required heart valves alone costing approximately $2.5 million for 10 patients. Without financial assistance, many patients face deteriorating health or even death while waiting for surgery.

The total expenditure for one patient can reach up to $1 million when factoring in surgical fees, medication, and disposable medical supplies.

“This initiative is what we call a cardiac mission—focused on helping the poorest patients who can’t afford these life-saving procedures. Unfortunately, at UHWI, these surgeries aren’t covered under free healthcare, unlike other hospitals, so patients must pay out of pocket,” explained Dr Sunil Stephenson, head of cardiothoracic surgery at UHWI and chief local organiser of the mission.

Without surgical intervention, many heart patients are unable to work, attend school, or even carry out basic daily activities that others take for granted. The burden of untreated heart disease extends beyond the individual, affecting families and livelihoods.

“UHWI is the only hospital capable of performing these cardiac surgeries, which means many patients face extremely long wait times. Some try to seek help elsewhere, while others simply never get the surgery they need. But we can’t allow patients to languish with heart disease—it only worsens over time. And in the worst cases, people can die,” said Dr Stephenson as he underscored the harsh reality of the situation.

“After reaching out to several corporate entities and facing a few refusals, we were quite happy when the D&G Foundation agreed to help. We’re very, very appreciative of it and I’m sure the patients will be as well,” added Dr Stephenson who expressed his gratitude for the support.

In the meantime Abi-Gaye Smythe, heart patient and founder and managing director of the I Have A Heart Foundation, echoed the need for continued support.

“I’ve been there, I understand the financial struggles of it all, the social, the psychological, all the struggles that come with living with heart disease. Also losing my mother to heart disease is one of the reasons that I go so hard to advocate for heart health awareness in Jamaica.

“In terms of people needing assistance, the Government cannot do it alone; private sector organisations cannot do it alone; and the individuals who need assistance, can’t do it alone. So it takes a concerted effort, you know, and everybody has to do what they can,” said Smythe, as she lauded the D&G Foundation for its contribution to the mission.

“I’m grateful. I’m happy that they have stepped forward to assist us. They didn’t have to, but they chose to. As I said, the Government alone cannot help, so I’m happy to see that the D&G Foundation has stepped forward to do their part in assisting our fellow men there,” Smythe added.

Meanwhile Dianne Ashton-Smith, director of the D&G Foundation, emphasised the organisation’s dedication to initiatives that enhance the well-being of Jamaicans.

“Accessible healthcare is a pressing need in our community. Guided by our core value of ‘Care for People’, this donation exemplifies our commitment to making a tangible difference. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in Jamaica, and we are honoured to support an initiative that offers a second chance to those in need. There is no better way to commemorate Heart Month,” said Ashton-Smith

She noted that as the mission approaches its execution from March 3 to 7, the call for support remains strong and, “The D&G Foundation encourages corporate entities and individuals to step forward and provide critical resources that can offer Jamaicans the opportunity to lead healthy, fulfilling lives”.