KINGSTON, Jamaica — A new national initiative aimed at promoting maternal health and supporting adolescent mothers will take centre stage this Mother’s Day, as the Heart and Vascular Centre officially launched its inaugural “Run for Mom 5K” on Thursday.

The event, staged in partnership with the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation, seeks to transform traditional Mother’s Day celebrations into a movement focused on awareness, advocacy and tangible support for young mothers across the island.

The race is scheduled for Tivoli Gardens in Kingston, a location deliberately chosen to reflect both the challenges and resilience within Jamaican communities.

Founder of the Heart and Vascular Centre, Dr Lorren Scott, highlighted the deeper purpose behind the initiative, emphasising that while mothers are often celebrated, many, particularly young mothers, face significant hardships.

“At the centre of every family, every community, and this country is a mother,” Scott said. “But there are young mothers across Jamaica navigating interrupted education, limited support and social stigma. Their strength deserves more than recognition, it deserves support.”

He added that the Run for Mom 5K is designed to convert discussion into action, positioning maternal health and the well-being of young mothers as a national priority.

Corporate support for the initiative has come from FLOW, which contributed $1 million along with connectivity services to expand the event’s reach.

FLOW’s Regulatory Finance Manager, Pete Smith, described the sponsorship as an investment in people and progress.

“This is not just financial support, it’s a commitment to purpose,” Smith said, noting that the initiative aligns with efforts to improve health outcomes and empower vulnerable groups. He also highlighted the importance of raising awareness about cardiovascular disease and encouraging healthier lifestyles through community events like the 5K.

Executive Director of the Women’s Centre, Novelette Howell, welcomed the partnership, pointing to its potential impact on adolescent mothers seeking a second chance at education.

She outlined the foundation’s A-Stream programme, which supports teenage mothers at secondary and tertiary levels, as well as young fathers.

“Education is a critical pathway to breaking cycles of vulnerability and creating lasting change,” Howell said.

Medical professionals have also endorsed the initiative, including Dr Garth McDonald of Victoria Jubilee Hospital, who stressed the broader societal implications of teenage pregnancy.

“Teenage pregnancy is a burden for any society,” McDonald said, noting that while rates have declined, the psychosocial challenges, ranging from stigma to lack of support, continue to put young mothers at risk.

Organisers say proceeds from the Run for Mom 5K will directly benefit programmes supporting adolescent mothers, while also fostering a culture of health, wellness and community engagement.

(Video: Llewellyn Wynter)