Sandals Foundation has strengthened its commitment to the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) with a CAD$320,000 investment up to 2029.

The gift will begin with a contribution of $120,000 this year and, subsequently, $50,000 annually for the next four years.

Historically, children with cancer and blood disorders in the Caribbean have faced barriers to accessing timely, specialised care within the region. Medical professionals at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Canada, are supporting medical professionals in seven Caribbean institutions across six countries — Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“This collaboration is changing outcomes for children under the age of 18 diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders by assisting with case consultations, diagnostics, and treatment plans for these childhood illnesses,” Sandals Foundation stated in a news release.

The foundation explained that the support has contributed to building a regional community of practice under the umbrella of various SCI initiatives.

“The partnership has seen the outfitting of a telemedicine room in St Lucia which facilitated virtual consults prior to the advancement of tabletop technology. SCI partnered with The University of the West Indies St Augustine Campus School of Nursing in Trinidad and Tobago and supported training of 41 nurses from partnering Caribbean countries in paediatric haematology/oncology,” the foundation noted.

It said that SCI has supported 888 case consultations, facilitated the creation of comprehensive paediatric oncology databases for each site, and training of paediatricians in paediatric haematology/oncology through the SickKids fellowship training programme.

The foundation also said that SCI Caribbean partner sites have registered more than 1,000 patients in local oncology databases to date and has attributed its continued success to partnership and collaboration.

“Building capacity for improving the outcomes of children with cancer and blood disorders is paramount to the advancement of small island developing states in the Caribbean,” the release quotes Dr Curt Bodkyn, co-Caribbean lead of SickKids-Caribbean Initiative.

“Through our partnerships, SCI has made a profound difference in paediatric care in the region, with case consultations, health-care professional training, advocacy, and SickKids management support,” he said.

Heidi Clarke, executive director at Sandals Foundation, noted that over the years the foundation has “made significant strides in connecting and building the capacity of our Caribbean medical professionals to provide the care and services needed by our young ones who are at their most vulnerable”.

“This commitment over the next five years will continue to build on the resources, infrastructure, and care needed to support families and save lives. Our wish for all children is good health,” Clarke added.

Sandals Foundation has, since 2013, donated more than CAD$1 million in support of SCI programming, making the organisation a proud member of the prestigious SickKids Luminaries.

The Hospital for Sick Children is a world leader in paediatric care, research, and education. With a goal of improving children’s health care globally, SickKids has established programmes like the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative to translate the knowledge and expertise developed on its campus in Toronto to partners and countries around the world.

Since being formally launched in 2013, the SCI programme has trained doctors, nurses, and health-care professionals in paediatric haematology and oncology. Improved data collection on patient outcomes and enhanced treatment protocols through access to early screening, testing, and diagnosis for certain paediatric disorders have been key outcomes of the SCI programme, which continues to foster regional, international, and interprofessional collaborations around paediatric haematology/oncology.

Marking its 150th anniversary this year, and to commemorate its partnership with Sandals Foundation, the Canada-based organisation has gifted Sandals Foundation a life-sized birthday balloon sculpture, which has been installed at Sandals Montego Bay Resort. The balloon stands as a symbol of the power of community and the incredible work being done to transform paediatric health care across the world.